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Zak Brown Points to Deeper F1 Issue Amid Grid Expansion Talks
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has raised concerns over the potential entry of a twelfth Formula 1 team, highlighting an underlying issue within the sport that must be addressed first.
By Sanne Vermeer - 2026-07-17T09:50:10.000Z - 1 min read
The debate surrounding a potential expansion of the Formula 1 grid has taken another critical turn, this time courtesy of Zak Brown. The McLaren chief fears that adding a twelfth team would present unnecessary challenges for the sport.
According to Brown, Formula 1 faces a fundamental issue that needs to be tackled first. Only after that is resolved, he contends, can discussions take place regarding the admission of more entrants into pinnacle motorsport.
Rumors and discussions regarding prospective new entrants have circulated through the paddock for some time. Several parties have publicly expressed interest in joining Formula 1.
Brown's remarks imply that the sport's current structure or business model is not yet robust enough for further growth. He stresses that the foundation must be strengthened before expanding the field.