Mika Hakkinen praises Zak Brown’s transformative leadership, forecasting a promising new chapter for McLaren F1’s pursuit of glory.
Before 2024, McLaren F1’s last constructors’ title dated back to 1998, won by David Coulthard and that year’s drivers’ champion, Mika Hakkinen.
Of course, the Finn, who remains an ambassador for McLaren F1, is not at all bitter about finally finding two successors in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“I think everyone who works hard, makes the right decisions, and operates as a team… that’s what matters,” he said today with a smile, as a passionate fan of McLaren F1.
“What we did in 1998… history always repeats itself.”
“So, it’s great to see. I think… I find it fantastic.”
“People need to earn something for their hard work.”
“We worked hard. Management made the right decisions, and the mechanics did a fantastic job. Now, McLaren is doing that kind of work.”
“The kind of work McLaren is doing right now will make them stronger and allow them to feel even better about their success.”
The good news for McLaren F1 is that next year’s regulations remain stable. The MCL38 was the best car on the grid in Abu Dhabi, making it likely to be a frontrunner in Australia for the first Grand Prix of the season.
Mika Hakkinen, therefore, hopes for a new cycle of success for his beloved team—a wish that seems entirely realistic.
“McLaren has started a new era, and it began when Zak Brown took the helm of the McLaren team,” he stated.
And for the drivers’ title, Mika Hakkinen is clearly betting on Lando Norris for 2025.
“With the experience Lando has, I believe he can do it next year with McLaren, and not just a little,” he confidently stated.
Mika Hakkinen Praises Zak Brown’s Leadership
There’s one man undoubtedly behind McLaren F1’s turnaround over the past four years: Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. He is the one who breathed new life into a team that had endured dark years with Honda and poorly designed chassis.
“McLaren started a new era, and it began when Zak Brown took the reins of the McLaren team,” Mika Hakkinen affirmed.
Is This a Criticism of Ron Dennis?
“This comment has nothing to do with McLaren’s history or what Ron Dennis achieved, but McLaren needed someone like Zak, who could foster the right team spirit, inspire people to do the right things for the team, and that was the moment everything changed.”
“I’m good friends with Zak, and when he asked me to work together [as a brand ambassador, a role Hakkinen accepted in 2017], I immediately saw it was going to be incredible.”
“But at the same time, I recognized it wasn’t going to be an overnight change for McLaren to succeed. It would take time.”
“If the investors, the team’s partners, along with the excellent engineers, mechanics, and the marketing team, are willing to follow Zak in how he drives the team forward, success will follow.”
“This isn’t just about this weekend or this year. It will continue over a very long period—a new journey toward success for the McLaren team. That’s how I see it.”
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Zak Brown Sparks McLaren Revival, Hakkinen Confident Zak Brown Sparks McLaren Revival, Hakkinen Confident
