McLaren CEO Zak Brown Envisions F1 Approaching IndyCar Performance Levels

6 months ago By Walter Thompson

McLaren CEO Zak Brown predicts that Formula 1 is approaching IndyCar levels of performance, a view informed by observations about the competitive characteristics of both series.

IndyCar is known for its intense and exciting races, with cars built by Dallara that follow almost identical specifications, except for the development of shock absorbers, and the presence of two different engine manufacturers. This uniformity results in close racing, where qualifying sessions in the top six often differ by three-tenths of a second or less.

Opening the 2023 season in St. Petersburg, the three-tenths difference between leading the first round of qualifying and being eliminated in the group stages highlighted IndyCar’s extreme competitiveness. This scenario, however, contrasts with the 2023 Formula 1, where Red Bull won all but one race, with Max Verstappen claiming his third consecutive world title.

Zak Brown, whose team has a presence in both series, shares his perspective that Formula 1 is not far from reaching a level of convergence similar to IndyCar, especially as current technical regulations extend into 2024 and 2025.

“If you look at the time sheets, even teams in ninth and tenth place [in the standings] are a threat for Q3,” notes Brown. “For the championship, we will probably have the same cast of characters, but I believe Formula 1 will become more competitive.”

Comparison between series is not only based on ranking statistics, but also on the nature of the races. Brown highlights that F1 is moving towards a scenario more similar to IndyCar, where multiple race winners and a tighter fight for the championship are common.

While F1 witnessed closely contested qualifying sessions due to budget caps and convergence in aerodynamic designs, IndyCar stood out for its diversity of race winners across different teams. Brown compares the situation, stating: “I think it will be more like IndyCar, where there are many drivers who can win at any time and rarely does anyone dominate the championship.”

Brown’s view is optimistic about future competitiveness in Formula 1, suggesting that the premier class of motorsport could experience a more balanced and exciting dynamic, similar to that found in IndyCar. With the inclusion of more teams in the fight for the podium and the unpredictability of the races, fans can expect an F1 that increasingly resembles the exciting and unpredictable spirit of IndyCar.