McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown Just Validated What Vaucher Analytics Has Been Saying All Year About IndyCar
When someone with the stature of Zak Brown speaks, the motorsports world listens.
So when he recently sat down for an interview with David Land the weekend of the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race and said this, we at Vaucher Analytics paid close attention.
Because that's almost word for word what we've been saying for months.
“We talk a lot about cost containment, which is very important, but you can’t cut your way to success. I think more of the conversation needs to be around growth than cost containment. They both have their place, but I think we probably should spend 75% of our time on growth, 25% on cost containment. I’d say we kind of spend 75% of our time on cost containment, 25% on growth. And I think we need to be the other way around.”
In our article titled Addressing Cost Escalations in IndyCar via Growth, published earlier this year, we wrote:
“While it is always important to operate efficiently and be vigilant to organizational ‘cost creep,’ the most long-lasting solution to controlling costs is to outrun them with increasing market size and revenues.”
That alignment is not coincidental, rather it points to a fundamental tenet of business (in any domain): the right investments lead to growth, so teams and series leadership are increasingly recognizing that you can’t save your way to sustainability.
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In less than 500 words.
Cost inflation is real, but so is the opportunity
As we detailed in another piece titled The $3,000 Helmet: An IndyCar Case Study in Compliance-Driven Cost Inflation, IndyCar teams are grappling with cost inflation driven by:
Nominal inflation
Technical inflation
Market inflation
While prudent cost management is a pillar of any successful business, an overly defensive posture risks undermining the product itself.
That’s why the smarter approach is to double down on strategic growth.
This isn't about claiming credit or trying to be first to an observation; it's about showing that serious thinking is converging around a clear strategic imperative: IndyCar must grow to survive.
Alignment on core principles for IndyCar growth
| Theme | Zak Brown | Vaucher Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Focus balance | “Should be 75% growth, 25% cost-cutting” | “The most sustainable fix is to outrun costs with revenue growth.” |
| Growth strategy | “Play more offense than defense” | “Fueling growth rather than imposing austerity is the more sustainable path.” |
| Team economics | “You can’t cut your way to success” | “There is only so much that one can cut.” |
How to turn insight into action
Vaucher Analytics has already outlined a roadmap to help IndyCar and its stakeholders shift from cost defense to growth offense:
Fix the fan funnel
Leverage new media platforms (Netflix-style content, digital engagement) to bring in younger, more diverse audiences. Incidentally, Brown also believes these channels are under-utilized, stating in the interview that IndyCar is underperforming on digital platforms (activation, communication, fan engagement).
FOX’s Super Bowl campaign was a good start.
It’s time to scale it smartly, then massively.
Develop the talent pipeline
Combat labor cost inflation by investing in training and recruiting programs that widen the pool of skilled engineers, mechanics, and staff.
Give manufacturers a reason to stay (and join)
Draft future regulations with OEMs in mind, taking a page from WEC/IMSA. Let them showcase innovation and differentiate their brands.
Make the new chassis launch a massive moment
Don’t quietly unveil the new chassis. This project was already years in the making when its launch was pushed back yet another year from 2027 to 2028; fans need a massive payoff and potential fans need an exciting hook.
The new chassis launch can be both, so please, IndyCar, make it an event..
Think livery shows, cross-promotions with influencers, partnerships with tech and lifestyle brands, all options should be on the table to reach a dynamic audience hungry for IndyCar.
Build consistent, multi-channel engagement
Use storytelling, behind-the-scenes access, and consistent content to activate fans emotionally and commercially.
A shared vision…Now what?
Zak Brown’s comments show that leaders in the sport are no longer content to tread water through cost containment alone. They’re looking for sustainable, strategic growth, and they’re willing to say so publicly.
That’s encouraging. But it also means the real work begins now.
The road ahead
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Photo credit: Jonathan Ikemura via Unsplash