How a Wheel Spin Launched an F1 Titan
A story, quote, and lesson about using blessings wisely
Don’t forget to think ahead.
That might sound strange to a teenager who just spun a giant wheel and walked away with a handful of cash on national television. But that’s exactly what Zak Brown did in 1984.
At just 13 years old, Zak Brown stepped onto the set during Wheel of Fortune’s “Teen Week.” After solving puzzles and spinning the wheel, he won approximately $3,050 worth of prizes.
Rather than splurging on toys, gadgets, or clothes, he made a quiet but courageous decision: he sold his winnings and invested the entire sum in his first go‑kart.
Eventually, Brown pivoted from driving to business, founding Just Marketing International in 1995, scaling it into a sports-marketing powerhouse, and rising through the ranks at McLaren to become CEO in 2018.
His influence now spans races, sponsorships, and strategy across global motorsport and, under his leadership, McLaren won another Constructor’s Championship in 2024 after 26 years of trying to get to the top (and they’re poised to continue dominating in 2025).
“I didn’t come from a racing background. I didn’t come from a privileged background. We weren’t poor, but by racing standards, we were poor.”
- Zak Brown on his and his family’s situation when he got started in racing.
Blessings don’t always come with instructions. A sudden gain might feel like pressure to spend, hurry, or make it count immediately. But sometimes, the greatest thing you can do with an unexpected gift is nothing, until the right moment arrives.
Brown didn’t know what to do with his winnings. He could’ve spent that Teen Week prize on typical teenage indulgences. Instead, he waited. He watched.
And when the karting world opened up, he acted, big and bold, with his whole heart behind it. The result? A trajectory that led him from a go-kart track to the boardroom of one of F1’s legendary names.
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, his story reminds us that pause can be power, especially when waiting gives birth to purpose.
So now I ask you:
What blessing are you holding onto, ready to ignite, but waiting for the right moment to strike?
This is great 👏🏻
Thanks for reminding me to be patient and not be hasty when making decisions. Indeed, waiting gives birth to purpose and eventually, power 🤩🤩 .