Marketing guru Zak Brown has joined McLaren as executive director following the ousting of Ron Dennis last week.

Dennis was axed from the company that he had built up over the past 35 years - a decision that the 69-year-old was unhappy about after helping them to 20 titles.

Brown soon emerged as a target for McLaren, who are continuing to reshape their management structure, but the F1 sponsorship mogul was reportedly in demand following his departure in charge of several lucrative sponsorships in the sport.

The American has now confirmed that he will take on the position at McLaren, however, saying in a statement: "In my new role I'll be able to combine my absolute passion with my unparalleled area of expertise - respectively motorsport and marketing - while ensuring that the two stay totally aligned."

Dennis's sudden departure is understood to be down to a personal rift, thought to be as a result of a buyout bid by Chinese investors.