McLaren CEO Zak Brown pulls out of racing return to help commemorate Mansour Ojjeh at French GP

McLaren

Brown pulls out of racing return to help commemorate Mansour Ojjeh at French GP

Brown was due to compete in GT4 European Series at Zandvoort

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 15 June 2021 14:54

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has opted to withdraw from a racing return this weekend in order to commemorate Mansour Ojjeh at the French Grand Prix.

Brown was due to compete with fellow United Autosports co-owner Richard Dean in the latest round of the GT4 European Series at Zandvoort in a McLaren 570S.

After winning the final round of the British GT championship with Alvaro Parente in 2012, Brown has since focused on historic racing events around the world with Dean.

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In the build-up to this weekend, Brown and Dean had tested with the team alongside regular United Autosports entrants Bailey Voisin, Charlie Fagg, Gus Bowers and Dean Macdonald.

But following the death of long-time McLaren investor Ojjeh, who passed away on the morning of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on June 6, Brown has opted to instead head to the Paul Ricard circuit.

Team principal Andreas Seidl has confirmed McLaren "will be racing in honour of Mansour this weekend.

"He was and always will be an integral part of the McLaren family and a true inspiration to all of us.”

A tweet from United Autosports read: "Zak and Richard have decided to no longer race at Zandvoort this weekend following the death of Mansour Ojjeh.

"Zak will instead attend the French Grand Prix to commemorate Mansour. Our thoughts are with the McLaren family at this difficult time."

It is understood Brown and Dean will compete at another event later this year.

🚨 NEWS: Zak and Richard have decided to no longer race at Zandvoort this weekend following the death of Mansour Ojjeh.

Zak will instead attend the French Grand Prix to commemorate Mansour.

Our thoughts are with the McLaren family at this difficult time.#BeUnited pic.twitter.com/MWjGkszbtY
— United Autosports (@UnitedAutosport) June 15, 2021