People, companies and common interests intertwine within the Formula 1 network, and Zak Brown's arrival at McLaren last year could lead to a change of shareholders at the Woking-based company.

As the CEO of Miami-based Motorsport Network, Brown spearheaded a series of investments and acquisitions which included the Haymarket Group, the publishers of well-known titles Autosport and F1 Racing, Amalgam Models, Forix Stats and Motors TV.

The group, owned by Russian billionaire Mike Zoi,  also acquired recently a stake in Formula E. Zak Brown's executive position with the McLaren Technology Group has led to speculations that perhaps the American could initiate a logical rapprochement with Motorsport Network given the latter's ongoing will to expand.

This could take the form of an investment by the publishing company in McLaren by possibly buying part or the entire holdings in MTG of ousted chairman and CEO Ron Dennis.

The man who guided McLaren's destiny for over three decades still owns a 25% stake in McLaren. While choosing to remain a shareholder could simply be premised on a savvy business decision, Dennis may prefer to sever all ties with the company once and for all, thus providing himself with complete freedom to pursue other ventures.

If branding of one of Motorsport Network's affiliates appears on the side of the new McLaren MCL32 when it is presented next week, it could be a tell-tale sign of the company's impending involvement as an established shareholder.

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Michael Delaney

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