McLaren has parted ways with technical director James Key as part of a major overhaul of its technical department.
The Woking-based outfit has endured a torrid start to the 2023 Formula 1 season and currently sits bottom of the Constructors' Championship with a best finish of 15th in the first two races.
This comes after McLaren admitted at their launch that this year's MCL60 had been blighted by the team being too late in discovering a fruitful development path, though progress is expected when that path is implemented in an upgrade in Baku.
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Even so, the team has opted not to wait in taking action announcing a new three-person 'F1 Technical Executive Committee' that will replace the single role of Executive Technical Director previously held by Key.
This includes Peter Prodromou, a McLaren veteran with previous Red Bull experience, as the TD of Aerodynamics, Neil Houldey promoted to TD of Engineering and, at the start of 2024, David Sanchez will join from Ferrari as the TD of Car Concept and Performance.
All three will be assisted by a new Head of Aerodynamics and Chief of Staff, Giuseppe Pesce, another internal promotion from within.
Separately, Piers Thynne has been named the new COO of the F1 team alongside team boss Andrea Stella to “innovate and elevate the standards at McLaren”.
Debrief, take the positives and go again in Australia. We’ll be back. 👊🧡 pic.twitter.com/wUZjEtDmzp
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 22, 2023
McLaren hopes these changes will allow the team to exploit the potential of a new wind tunnel and simulator that comes online later this year, as the improved infrastructure is seen as integral to the team's bid to become championship contenders in 2025.
“It’s important now that we ensure we have a solid foundation as the next phase of our journey,” CEO Zak Brown said.
“It has been clear to me for some time that our technical development has not moved at a quick enough pace to match our ambition of returning to the front of the grid.
"I’m pleased that, having completed a full review with Andrea, we are now able to implement the restructuring required to set the wheels in motion to turn this around.”
Will it work, time will tell...
