When Zak Brown steps onto the McLaren pit wall, the title on his pass says CEO. But ask him what it really feels like to lead one of Formula 1's most iconic teams, and he gives an answer only a man who started his racing career with Wheel of Fortune winnings could deliver.

Speaking at the Autosport Business Exchange Miami ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the American boss drew striking parallels between his role and that of his star drivers. "Whether you're a CEO or a racing driver, first thing is you need to have great people around you—it's teamwork," Brown explained. "You need great technology. As a driver, you need to know how to communicate and lead, but also how to listen and follow."

It's a perspective few executives can offer. Before Brown ran the papaya-clad operation, he lived the driver's life. Born and raised in California, he used prize money from Wheel of Fortune to buy his first kart, then raced professionally for a decade across the globe before transitioning into business. That hands-on foundation has proven invaluable as he steered McLaren's resurgence to the top of the constructors' standings in both 2024 and 2025.

"Whether your engineer is talking to you, you need to understand risk versus reward and get that balance right," Brown said. "You need to be data-driven, but also instinct-driven. There are tremendous similarities."

For Brown, the pursuit of perfection is a constant—even knowing it's unattainable. "You're striving for perfection, but there's no such thing. So as long as you're comfortable analyzing, 'What could I have done better yesterday?' that drives marginal gains. If you get the whole organization thinking that way, every day you're just trying to be a little better than you were the day before."

Since joining McLaren in 2016 as executive director and becoming CEO of McLaren Racing in 2018, Brown has transformed a struggling giant into a championship contender. His philosophy—rooted in the same teamwork, communication, risk management, and self-criticism that define great drivers—has become the blueprint for the team's revival. And for anyone who's ever dreamed of wearing the papaya, it's a reminder that the mindset of a champion starts long before the lights go out.