McLaren boss and Motorsport Network chair Zak Brown has resigned from his position at the Network, following Tuesday’s price hike news at Autosport.
Zak Brown has announced his decision to resign from his position as non-executive chairman of the Motorsport Network. The McLaren boss took to Twitter to make the announcement just twenty four hours after Motorsport announced a series of changes to their publications and their pricing.
“After careful consideration I have made the decision to resign from the role of non-executive chairman of Motorsport Network.” he said. “I have had the privilege of watching some of the best people in the business doing what they do so well – bringing this great sport to the fans.”
“I have every confidence their passion and professionalism will continue to inform, educate and entertain motorsport lovers everywhere in the future. I wish all the staff and the company every success.”
Brown was appointed to the role of chairman of the Motorsport Network at the start of 2016, and oversaw the purchase of the Autosport brand later that year.
The Autosport magazine, which turns seventy years old in 2020, will be on sale from now on at a price of £10.99, more than double the usual price. The F1 Racing magazine has been sold to content house Lifestyle Media, pending the transfer of the licence to use F1’s intellectual property from Formula One Management. This deal is expected to be formalised at the end of October. The other Motorsport print property Motorsport News’ status is currently unknown, with the Network saying that they are ‘exploring options’.
The changes have met with huge backlash from long-time readers and subscribers, with Autosport in particular being a mainstay of motorsport journalism in the English language. The exact number of jobs affected is yet to be confirmed, nor whether other publications within Motorsport’s sphere will close.
“I’d like to thank Zak Brown for all that he has done in his role as Non-Executive Chairman since January 2016.” said Motorsport Network CEO Yavor Efremov. “Without him, we would not have been able to grow Motorsport Network to the level we’ve reached today. I look forward to continuing our personal friendship and professional collaboration in the future.”
As an independently owned website, FormulaSpy remains unaffected by any and all changes and remains completely free to readers.
After careful consideration I have made the decision to resign from the role of non-executive chairman of Motorsport Network. I have had the privilege of watching some of the best people in the business doing what they do so well – bringing this great sport to the fans. 1/2
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) October 9, 2019
