He is a successful American businessman and racing driver, who raced in such series as Formula Ford 1600, German & British Formula 3, the FIA GT Championship, FIA European Championship, American Le Mans Series, Rolex Sportscar Series, Britcar, Le Mans Classic, British GT Championship and the Blancpain Series.
His awards include being included on the NASCAR Power List, F1 Power List, Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 as well as being named Marketeer Of The Year, the Jim Trueman Award, RFA Promising Young Star, AARWB Sports Car Driver and GCKS Rookie Of The Year.
He is the chairman and co-founder of United Autosports who have competed in such series as the European Le Mans Series, Historic Car Events, 24 Hours of Spa, the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, Macau Grand Prix, British Touring Cars, British GT Championship, European Supercar Challenge and Ginetta GT4 Supercup.
Most recently it was announced he will be joining the McLaren Group as Executive Director next month and is currently winging his way to Abu Dhabi for this weekend’s race.
These are his Quick 10…….and this is Zak Brown….
1. What is your favourite circuit and why?
Spa. A real drivers track.
2. Who is/was your racing idol?
Ayrton Senna.
3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?
Got to be Mercedes right now.
4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?
Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.
5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?
George Washington, Ayrton Senna, Winston Churchill and Henry VIII.
6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?
#23 – It was the favourite number of my great personal friend Tony Powell who sponsored me in the early days and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his support.
7. What is the best race you have seen in your opinion?
Brazil 2008. What a finish.
8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?
I want to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?
I went to the 1987 Long Beach Grand Prix and that sparked it.
10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?
Don’t quit.
I have had the pleasure of being in contact with Zak for a number of years now, he is one of the nicest and most helpful people I have dealt with in racing and was always on hand with advice and assistance through my many forms of motor racing journalism. He was solely responsible for me gaining my first big interview with Mark Blundell, to which I was very grateful for.
I have watched and written about his United Autosports empire from the beginning and consider myself a big fan of the team.
I want to wish this ‘thoroughly nice bloke’ all the best in his new adventures with McLaren, the team I have followed from the age of four and want to thank him for taking the time to answer these questions.
Neil Simmons
@world_racing