Sports car racer and auto racing marketing specialist Zak Brown has been tipped as a potential successor for Formula 1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone, if and when the 80-year-old Briton should decide one day to step away from the sport.
Brown, 39, founder of the Just Marketing agency that represents several major F1 entities, was described by the UK's Guardian newspaper as well poised to "become the most influential man in his sport." The newspaper noted that he is already close to Ecclestone, who attended the launch last year of Brown's United Autosports sports car team – which competed at the Rolex 24 with ex-F1 drivers Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle joining Brown himself and Mark Patterson in the driving lineup.
Asked by the Guardian about the possibility of succeeding Ecclestone, Brown replied, "That's flattering," but indicated he doubted Ecclestone would retire any time soon.
"I think it will be impossible to replace Bernie," said Brown. "You'd certainly have to approach it with a bit of a team."