NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Brown must decide between McLaren, F1 offers

Well-known F1 sponsorship mogul Zak Brown is in the running to become McLaren's new group CEO.

Well-known F1 sponsorship mogul Zak Brown is in the running to become McLaren's new group CEO.

On Tuesday, the famous British team and the 69-year-old confirmed that long-time chief Ron Dennis has been ousted.

"McLaren Technology Group is now in the process of seeking a new chief executive officer," McLaren declared in a statement.

Britain's The Times newspaper reports that the frontrunner is Zak Brown, who recently left his role in charge of several lucrative sponsorships in F1.

But correspondent Kevin Eason said a "tug of war" is taking place for Brown's services between McLaren and F1's new owners Liberty Media.

The report said American Brown has "48 hours to decide" if he wants to succeed Dennis as McLaren's chief.

It is believed Brown is also a favourite to succeed Bernie Ecclestone as F1's chief executive.

"Brown is faced with a choice of running one of the biggest names in formula one -- or the entire show," said Eason.

Until the decision to replace Dennis is made, McLaren said it will be run by committee.

(GMM)