New McLaren boss Zak Brown has revealed that the technology and racing group could increase its participation in Formula E.

According to a report in Sports Business Global, McLaren, which will supply the spec race batteries from season five, is impressed with the all-electric motorsport and will be reviewing the company’s share in it. McLaren supplied the electric motor, ECU, inverter and Hewland-built gearbox for all cars in season one.

McLaren could potentially increase its Formula E involvement in the future, [executive director] Zak Brown said. The American, who joined the British racing team at the end of last season, said Formula E “is one of the most dynamic motorsports” at the moment and as the series grows, so could McLaren’s participation.

“We are happy to be participating in Formula E and over time we will review our involvement there and see, if we should get even more involved,” he told SBD Global. Brown did not specify whether an increased involvement would be limited to the technology side or if it could also include entering the series with its own racing team.

His comments came after Miami-based digital media company Motorsport Network, which he chairs, acquired a stake in the electric racing series earlier this month.

McLaren, through its McLaren Applied Technology arm, has been involved in Formula E since its inception in [2014]. Starting with the [2018-19] season, McLaren will replace F1 rival Williams as the sole battery supplier of the championship.

For Brown, his dual role at McLaren and Motorsport Network does not represent a conflict of interest. “McLaren is a technology company, which goes motor racing,” he said. “Obviously Formula 1 is our biggest platform, but as new forms and existing forms of motorsports come along we want all motorsports to be successful.”

sportsbusinessdaily.com