New McLaren boss pays tribute to Dennis

and chief executive who built McLaren into a world-beating team and sportscar maker, was forced out by other shareholders last week and is now on ‘gardening leave’ until his contract expires in mid-January.

After that, he will remain a 25 percent shareholder and board member but others will run the team.

Brown, a former racer and marketing expert who introduced top brands to Formula One while head of CSM Sport&Entertainment, said McLaren felt like home and it was the right time to join.

He said he would be focused more on “external commercial business” while chief operating officer Jonathan Neale looked after the technical side. The pair report to an executive committee controlled by Bahrain investment fund Mumtalakat and Saudi-born businessman Mansour Ojjeh.

Brown has emphasised the importance of securing a title sponsor for the first time since 2013 and he said bringing in more quality partners was also a priority, possibly from rivals.

“I’m positive we are going to bring in new partners,” he said. “I’d like to think the well hasn’t run dry and our talent in doing that.

“Everyone at times talks to each other’s sponsors, it’s not unusual to see sponsors move and I don’t think that will be any different.”

Asked how long it would take the Honda-powered team, who have not won a race since 2012, to return to the top, Brown offered no timescale.

“I just hope it’s sooner rather than later,” he said. “I’m going to keep my mouth shut and not make any predictions but we need to get back to winning soon. I think we’re on a good path.” Reuters