McLaren Confirms Formula E Exit as Zak Brown Eyes Triple Crown Feat — Red Bull Gains F1 Boost
In a significant development across the motorsport landscape, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has confirmed that the British team will be exiting the Formula E championship. The decision comes as McLaren aims to realign its motorsport ventures and focus on new opportunities, including a high-profile entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) beginning in 2027.
McLaren, based in Woking, currently leads the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship following their title win in 2024, while also operating competitive teams in other motorsport disciplines like IndyCar. They joined Formula E in 2022 through the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, and though their time in the all-electric series was brief, they made a notable impact. The team achieved one E-Prix victory and secured six podium finishes, with young talent Taylor Barnard currently sitting fourth in the 2024–25 Drivers’ Championship. The team itself holds third place in the Teams’ Standings, following a solid start to the ongoing season.
Despite this momentum, Brown released an official statement confirming the decision to withdraw from Formula E. “We are immensely proud of what we have achieved in Formula E,” he said, “and the series remains an important pillar in the global motorsport landscape. However, the time is right to explore other opportunities that align more closely with McLaren Racing’s strategic direction — most notably our planned return to endurance racing through the WEC in 2027.”
Brown emphasized that the exit does not reflect a lack of belief in the Formula E series, but rather a shift in McLaren’s long-term objectives. He also confirmed that the company is working to secure a new owner for the Formula E team to ensure its continuity and future success. “For now, our focus is on finishing this season strongly and ensuring the team is well-positioned for a smooth transition,” he added. “I’d like to thank the team, Formula E, our partners, and our fans for their incredible support.”
McLaren’s departure leaves a void in Formula E, with the series now facing the challenge of maintaining 11 teams on the grid for the 2026–27 season. The loss of a high-profile name like McLaren is a setback, but the future of the team could still be bright under new ownership.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s ambitions are reaching for historic heights. The team has already secured the prestigious “Triple Crown” of motorsport — having won the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indy 500 across its history — a feat no other constructor has achieved. But Zak Brown is setting his sights even higher: he wants McLaren to win all three races in the same calendar year.
“Thirty years ago, we won on our debut at Le Mans with a car that wasn’t even originally meant to compete. That cemented our place as the only team in history to win the Triple Crown,” Brown remarked. “Now, we want to go one better — to do it all in the same year. We’re up for it, we’re ready, and we’ll see you at the track.”
McLaren’s hopes rest on the strength of their current driver lineup. In Formula 1, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have shown strong pace and consistency, with both expected to remain key contenders for race wins and championship success in the years to come. Over in IndyCar, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward has emerged as a standout talent, already collecting seven race victories at just 25 years old.
As McLaren prepares to leave Formula E, their focus now shifts to conquering three of the most iconic races in motorsport — potentially in the same season — a challenge that, if successful, would cement their place in motorsport history yet again.
