01 June 2026

McLaren CEO Zak Brown made a successful competitive return to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit as a competitor, with a run to the podium in his Ferrari F430 GTC at the Masters Historic Festival last weekend (30/31 May).

Brown, who is most often seen on the pit wall at Grands Prix and sometimes IndyCar events, took a weekend ‘off’ from international motorsport, by taking part in the sport himself at another venue. It was the American’s first competitive outing at the venue since he raced in British GT in 2013.

Brown shared his time at the wheel of his Ferrari with Richard Dean, his long-time friend and partner with whom he founded the United Autosports team. The on-track high-point for the duo came on Sunday afternoon when, in addition to winning their class, Brown and Dean reached the outright podium in the second Masters Endurance Legends race of the weekend.

The moment was sweetened as the duo were joined on the outright rostrum by Brown’s son, Max, who was piloting a McLaren MP4 12C GT3 which was also entered by United Autosports. Brown received his class trophy on the podium personally from MotorSport Vision Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer.

In addition to taking to the track himself, Brown also took time out of his Sunday afternoon to take part in a live interview session in front of a live audience. In front of hundreds of onlookers, many wearing McLaren Papaya, Brown talked enthusiastically about Brands Hatch, McLaren and motorsport more widely.

Brown wasn’t the only big name on-site either. Former Grand Prix drivers Stefan Johansson and Martin Donnelly were both in attendance too, specifically to take part in the Masters Demo Legends sessions for ‘80s and ‘90s F1 cars. Johansson delighted crowds at the wheel of a turquoise Leyton House March, while Donnelly lapped the GP loop in a distinctly liveried Footwork Arrows.