McLaren chief executive Zak Brown chose to witness the inaugural IndyCar Freedom 250 in Washington D.C. over the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.
Choosing IndyCar over the Dutch Grand Prix
During an interview with SPEED, Brown explained that a single laptop cannot carry him to every track, so he prioritised events that drive commercial growth for all McLaren teams.
He admitted he would have liked to be in both locations simultaneously, but “I use my double‑triple top‑secret laptop to dial into Holland,” adding that the Freedom 250’s novelty made it impossible to ignore.
Brown also hinted that an IndyCar pole was crucial; he set the tone for Lando Norris to start the Dutch Grand Prix from the front, letting the team share the win’s recognition.
Commercial Upside for McLaren
With the United States president and other high‑profile business leaders in attendance, Fox reported that the Freedom 250 became the most‑watched IndyCar non‑Indy 500 race since 1995, averaging over 3.2 million viewers.
Brown said the event opened doors to first‑time partners and prospects, emphasizing the “no‑brainer” nature of the opportunity for the NTT IndyCar Series.
He stressed that the team’s continuous success at races proves McLaren can thrive even when he’s not physically present.
Race Results and Team Performances
Lando Norris secured victory in the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, while Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard finished second in Washington, behind winner Kyle Kirkwood.
Lundgaard’s teammates Nolan Siegel and Pato O’Ward placed sixteenth and sixteenth, respectively, failing to catch the podium.
Brown praised the Freedom 250 as “a tremendous success,” noting the event’s impact on IndyCar’s visibility and McLaren’s expanding reach.
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