F1: Brown takes senior McLaren role

Formula 1 commercial figure Zak Brown has accepted a senior role at McLaren Group following the departure of Ron Dennis.

Brown has been appointed to the position of Executive Director, McLaren Technology Group, with a still-to-be-finalized commencement date sometime next month.

A statement from McLaren said that Brown's appointment will be "a significant part of a restructuring program that will align the Group's commercial and strategic operations relating to achieving success in Formula 1." Brown and chief operating officer Jonathan Neale will share responsibility for McLaren's leadership while the company continues its search for a new Group CEO. Both report directly to the McLaren Technology Group's Executive Committee.

"I'm immensely proud to be joining McLaren Technology Group," said Brown, who had previously been linked to a senior position with new F1 commercial rights owner Liberty Media.

"Having worked closely with McLaren for many years, I've been struck by the talent and ambition of the entire workforce, and I very much look forward to complementing the business's many existing strengths, and building on them to drive future success in everything we do."

Dennis, who will continue as McLaren's chairman and chief executive until his contract runs out in January, was placed on gardening leave following the collapse of his relationship with the McLaren Group's other shareholders.

He will remain a member of the McLaren board by virtue of his 25 percent shareholding.