Executive Technical Director, James Key has departed McLaren in a technical shake-up after a disastrous start to 2023 F1 season.
McLaren currently sit bottom of the Constructor standings with zero points after poor race performances in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, meaning that they’re the only team yet to register a points finish this season.
Team Principal, Andrea Stella has consequently opted for an early shake-up of the technical department, under which there won’t be a single Executive Technical Director but instead a Technical Executive Team, compromised of three specialised Technical Director roles.
As part of this restructure, James Key has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, with the members of the new Technical Executive Team reporting directly to Stella.
Peter Prodromou will take up the role of Technical Director Aerodynamics, leading the entire aero function with his 32 years of experience in F1 and proven record of winning world championships.
David Sanchez meanwhile will re-join McLaren from Ferrari on 1 January 2024 and take up the position of Technical Director, Car Concept and Performance, in-turn bringing ‘significant expertise and innovation’ to the team next season.
Speaking about his decision to return to McLaren, Sanchez commented: “I’m excited to be returning to the team in Woking and look forward to working alongside Peter and Neil and the rest of the team to achieve our performance objectives.
“McLaren has always had an extremely talented group of people and alongside the new infrastructure upgrades coming online this year, we have an exciting prospect ahead that I’m delighted to be a part of.”
Neil Houldey will become Technical Director, Engineering and Design – having been part of McLaren since 2006 and progressed up the ladder.
Giuseppe Pesce has been appointed as Director, Aerodynamics & Chief of Staff, in order to support the running of the aero department under which he will report to Prodromou.
Piers Thynne has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer with expanded duties, including supporting Stella in innovating and elevating standards at McLaren in order to be competitive at the front of the grid again.
Addressing the various changes, Stella iterated that McLaren are “determined and fully focused” on returning to the front of the grid, whilst playing out “a strategic approach to ensure the team is set on a long-term foundation, for us to build on over the years.”
Stella also stated that this structure change allows “clarity and effectiveness” whilst enabling the chance to “maximise performance,” as the team look to start climbing up the order quickly – starting with the Australian Grand Prix on 2 April.
Stella also paid tribute to Key for his work with the team as he added: “I’d like to thank James for his hard work and commitment during his time at McLaren and wish him well for the future.”
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