McLaren CEO Brown: Ricciardo's Performance Not Main 2022 Worry
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that Daniel Ricciardo's disappointing 2022 Formula One season was not his primary concern during that challenging period. Instead, Brown focused on deeper structural issues within the team that threatened McLaren's long-term competitiveness.
The American executive's candid assessment demonstrates the kind of decisive leadership and accountability that successful organizations require. Rather than accepting mediocrity or making excuses, Brown identified systemic problems and took swift corrective action.
Individual Performance Versus Organizational Excellence
Ricciardo's struggles were highly visible to fans and media. After a promising 2021 season that included McLaren's first victory since 2012 at Monza, the Australian driver managed points in only two of the first ten races in 2022, finishing 11th overall with just 37 points.
However, Brown recognized that focusing solely on individual performance would miss the broader organizational challenges. Speaking on the Smokeless World podcast, he explained his perspective: "We had our challenges with Daniel Ricciardo, and that was the headline. But actually, underneath that, I wasn't happy with the progress of the team and the car development."
Leadership and Accountability
What concerned Brown most was the team's response to failed upgrades introduced at the French Grand Prix. The casual attitude of some leadership figures, who suggested they would simply "do better next time," raised serious red flags for the CEO.
"What I didn't like was the response of some of the leadership of the team of kind of like, 'well, we'll do better next time.' I was like, 'no, no, no, this is a problem,'" Brown stated. This reaction reflects the kind of standards and accountability that drive organizational excellence.
Brown understood that accepting substandard performance during the 2023 car development phase would compound problems rather than solve them. His decisive intervention prevented what could have been consecutive disappointing seasons.
Strategic Restructuring Delivers Results
The McLaren CEO's response was swift and comprehensive. In 2023, the team promoted Andrea Stella to Team Principal and recruited top engineering talent from competitors Red Bull and Ferrari, including Peter Prodromou, Rob Marshall, and David Sanchez.
These changes, combined with Oscar Piastri replacing Ricciardo, initially showed mixed results. McLaren scored points in just three of the first eight races in 2023. However, Brown's faith in the data and development process proved justified.
The breakthrough came at the Austrian Grand Prix, followed by strong performances at Silverstone where both cars qualified second and third. From that point, McLaren's trajectory changed dramatically, culminating in back-to-back constructors' championships and Lando Norris securing the drivers' title.
Ricciardo's Future Beyond Formula One
While McLaren rebuilt itself into a championship-winning organization, Ricciardo's Formula One career ended abruptly in September 2024 when Racing Bulls terminated his contract mid-season. The eight-time grand prix winner has since explored opportunities in off-road racing.
During a recent Ford event in Arizona, Ricciardo expressed interest in Baja racing: "The itch for Baja is there, but I've got a lot to learn. A few more of these events, and then ask me next year, and we'll see where I'm at."
His partnership with Ford as an ambassador focuses on the manufacturer's Raptor pickup program and off-road motorsport activities, suggesting potential opportunities for competitive return outside Formula One.
Lessons in Organizational Management
Brown's handling of McLaren's 2022 crisis offers valuable lessons about effective leadership and organizational management. By looking beyond surface-level problems to identify systemic issues, making difficult personnel decisions, and maintaining high standards of accountability, he transformed a struggling team into a championship winner.
This approach reflects traditional values of personal responsibility, merit-based decision-making, and organizational excellence that drive sustainable success in competitive environments.