Column: Zak Brown savoring McLaren's slow return to glory

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates after winning the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.12, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool via AP)

From left: Mclaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, Mclaren CEO Zak Brown, Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrate on the podium after the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.12, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Zak Brown, center, drinks champagne from a shoe as he stands by Mclaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Lando Norris, following the Formula One Grand Prix, at the Monza racetrack, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Zak Brown returned to his home state at the top of the motor sports world following the 1-2 finish by McLaren at the Italian Grand Prix. It was the defining moment of a career that began as the wannabe racer from California climbed the motorsports ladder to CEO of McLaren Racing. Just seven days later, Brown was at Laguna Seca to watch McLaren's IndyCar team battle for the championship. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia celebrates after winning the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.12, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool via AP)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia drinks champagne from his shoe as he celebrates after winning the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.12, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Zak Brown, right, drinks champagne from a shoe flanked by Mclaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo of Australia, left, and Britain's Lando Norris, following the Formula One Grand Prix, at the Monza racetrack, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Zak Brown returned to his home state at the top of the motor sports world following the 1-2 finish by McLaren at the Italian Grand Prix. It was the defining moment of a career that began as the wannabe racer from California climbed the motorsports ladder to CEO of McLaren Racing. Just seven days later, Brown was at Laguna Seca to watch McLaren's IndyCar team battle for the championship. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia, Mclaren driver Lando Norris of Britain and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrate on the podium after the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.12, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool via AP)

McLaren CEO Zak Brown poses is his office, a 1972 Ford Condor RV he purchased in an online auction, at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. What does champagne taste like when chugged from a dirty shoe? Zak Brown doesn't know the answer to the question he's been most asked since McLaren broke a nine-year Formula One losing streak with a 1-2 sweep in Italy. Daniel Ricciardo celebrates his victories with a “shoey” in which he fills his racing boot with champagne and turns the podium into a party. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

Zak Brown, right, drinks champagne from a shoe flanked by Mclaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Britain's Lando Norris, top, following the Formula One Grand Prix, at the Monza racetrack, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Zak Brown returned to his home state at the top of the motor sports world following the 1-2 finish by McLaren at the Italian Grand Prix. It was the defining moment of a career that began as the wannabe racer from California climbed the motorsports ladder to CEO of McLaren Racing. Just seven days later, Brown was at Laguna Seca to watch McLaren's IndyCar team battle for the championship. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia, right, celebrates with second placed Mclaren driver Lando Norris of Britain after winning the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept.12, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool via AP)