Zak Brown has led McLaren from near administration to back-to-back Formula 1 champions since joining the team in 2016.
The Woking outfit were struggling with underperforming Honda engines and were languishing at the back of the grid when Brown came on board. McLaren’s finances were drying up as they could not attract enough sponsors.
But after a gruelling few years, the American guided the team to success in 2024, winning their first constructors’ championship since 1998. In 2025, McLaren defended their crown and won the drivers’ titles with Lando Norris.
Brown has installed a winning mentality within the organisation, something that had been lacking for several years. His work deserves to be recognised, but he has admitted to taking inspiration from other sports stars, including those in the world of Tennis.
Zak Brown inspired by Novak Djokovic’s mental strength
Speaking on talkSPORT after Norris won the 2025 championship, Brown detailed his encounter with Novak Djokovic and how he was greatly inspired by his attitude and mentality.
“Yeah, that was awesome,” said the McLaren CEO. “That was definitely a bucket list right there. Loves his F1. Big Lando fan, big McLaren fan.
“And that guy obviously is an immense talent on the court, but his brain, we learned a lot from him and took a lot of inspiration for how well he knows how to play the game.
“And I don’t mean that technically, but mentally. You see, that’s interesting.” Asked if he takes inspiration from other sports, he replied: “Oh, yeah. Absolutely. 100%. All different sports. And when you get the great athletes in, the common thing is how much they love the pressure.
“We were under huge pressure and they’re all, give me the bat, give me the ball, give me the racket, the big ones.”
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Novak Djokovic also offered advice to George Russell
It is not just McLaren who have been offered advice or taken inspiration from Djokovic. Mercedes star George Russell recalled how he met him in a gym in Monaco, and the pair shared their ways of working.
Russell said via GrandPrix 24/7: “I bumped into him at the gym and we walked home together. We’ve shared ideas together and he’s been really open with me with things he’s trying and what’s working for him.
“I don’t want to share too much because they are private conversations but I just really like how he’s constantly wanting to learn more and that inspires me to learn more about myself, what works for me, what works for them and pushing the boundaries.”
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