Mclaren has enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 season in the F1 as they lead the Constructors championship with 6 races to go. Lando Norris is also chipping away with Max Verstappen’s lead at the top of the driver’s standings to set up a fascinating end to the 2024 season.
As the Papayas have taken huge strides on the track, they are also doing some clever business off it as they have couped Will Courtenay, who serves as the head of race strategy for Red Bull Racing, as their new racing director. McLaren has announced that Courtenay will report directly to racing director Randeep Singh, with the position intended to enhance operational efficiency and support the team’s competitive objectives that will help grow the team’s sporting operations as the team continues its pursuit of success in F1.
“We are delighted to welcome Will to McLaren. His experience, professionalism, and passion for motorsport make him the ideal candidate to lead our F1 sporting function”. Mclaren team principal Andrea Stella said
“We are now entering a key phase in our journey as a team, and we are confident that he will be a great addition to our strong leadership team as we strive to continue challenging for wins and championships.”
However, Courtenay will remain at the Milton Keans outfit until mid-2026. “Sorry to see him leave after that long and successful time, but wish him all the best”, a Red Bull spokesperson said. “He will remain part of the team until mid-2026”. he added.
McLaren announce signing of Will Courtenay from Red Bull as new Sporting Director#F1 | Full story 👇https://t.co/F6QKlL5JvG
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 24, 2024
Courtenay has spent two decades at Red Bull but was appointed as head of team strategy in 2010. This move marks Courtenay as the third senior management member from Red Bull to depart in the last five months, reflecting the ongoing restructuring at McLaren. Earlier, Andrian Newey, who worked as a race car designer and aerodynamicist at Red Bull, announced his departure from the team to join Aston Martin in early 2025.
McLaren’s developmental plans and what to expect next season
Mclaren is set to roll out ‘the new phase of upgrades’ in its MCL38 that are expected to bolster their performance for the end of this season and the beginning of the next.
The MCL38 has established itself as the benchmark car in Formula 1 during the mid-season, demonstrating remarkable consistency among the top four teams, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris increasingly securing podium finishes and victories. With the constructors’ title expected to be wrapped up this season, the Papayas would be eager to stamp their domination from the very start of the next season.
Moreover, since the upgrades scheduled for the second half ongoing season were mostly designed in the first half, McLaren now has additional time to both complete its 2024 upgrade plan and allocate resources toward developing its 2025 car which gives it the upper hand over its rivals in the 2025 season.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
