2025 McLaren F1 Team

[90feet]

"Taking some responsibilities away from Singh" doesn't mean firing the dude and I'm really not sure why you both interpreted it as that. "A new role intended to support Singh" is exactly what I meant - taking some of his workload ("responsibilities") and shifting it to another person. Was just curious if this is a net new position or if he's replacing someone else.

I think it was the phrasing: to replace someone, or to support Singh. Seemed to suggest you thought he might replace Singh or support him. Technically he could be replacing someone and supporting Singh.

I've no idea where his responsibility sat before though you'd assume Singh.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/red- ... elease-f1/

There's some more details in this article about Will Courtenay staying at Red Bull for the next season:

While McLaren faces waiting until the middle of 2026 to get hold of Courtenay, it has evolved its own pitwall reporting structure for this year.

Oli Cartlidge, formerly a senior specialist on the race strategy side, has been promoted into a new role as lead of race strategy and strategy operations.

His expanded role should help free up Singh to focus more on his wider remit as racing director, without getting distracted any more than necessary with strategy matters.

McLaren had already shifted Cartlidge’s responsibilities a bit last year, but the formal change in his position ensures a clearer reporting structure ahead of a season where the squad hopes to be fighting for both F1 titles.

So, pretty much what I expected.

[CjC]

Red Bull won’t release Courtenay early either like they have with Wheatley.
It’s once again new territory when you are constructors champions, no one is willing to do you any favours no matter the financial incentives

[90feet]

Maybe I'm wrong or just not remembering something, but isn't it pretty unusual to have to wait that long for a new hire? Teams virtually always find a way to negotiate an early exit, even if the champions are involved. I can't remember the last time we heard of a high-profile hire who just kept working for their existing team for another full year.

[Waz]

Maybe I'm wrong or just not remembering something, but isn't it pretty unusual to have to wait that long for a new hire? Teams virtually always find a way to negotiate an early exit, even if the champions are involved. I can't remember the last time we heard of a high-profile hire who just kept working for their existing team for another full year.

I think Red Bull did this to McLaren with Dan Fallows some 10+ years ago. He eventually just stayed at Red Bull until AMR came knocking with their obscene bag of cash

[90feet]

Maybe I'm wrong or just not remembering something, but isn't it pretty unusual to have to wait that long for a new hire? Teams virtually always find a way to negotiate an early exit, even if the champions are involved. I can't remember the last time we heard of a high-profile hire who just kept working for their existing team for another full year.

I think Red Bull did this to McLaren with Dan Fallows some 10+ years ago. He eventually just stayed at Red Bull until AMR came knocking with their obscene bag of cash

Oh my gosh, you're absolutely right, that is a blast from the past. Some quick googling jogged my memory - this was the deal that ended with us getting Prodromou early. I think McLaren won in the long run.