Mclaren Mercedes 2014

[adrianjordan]

No Mercedes engine if the car is painted orange and white.So sponsor is on hold.

Do you have a source for that?

[Pup]

TJ13...

Over the weekend it was reported that Boullier will be joining McLaren at Jerez however this seems to have been put on ice for the time-being as the Daily Mail claims he wont be at Jerez at all now. Although the latter is not significant it could be a signal of some trouble brewing between the teams.

Both McLaren and Lotus are said to have been courting Sony Entertainment for sponsorship with Lotus making a much better offer than McLaren. Considering how well Lotus did last year and that they are the F1 circus’ social media kings it may be a wise move for Sony to partner with them, at a much better price than McLaren.

Could this be the reason why Boullier is not attending testing as part of the McLaren team, maybe contracts have been dusted off an everyone was reminded of the “Garden” clause?

I'd think Lotus would then be reminded of the "Paycheck" clause. Unless Boullier was paying himself while everyone else went without, which I doubt.

[iotar__]

Complete meltdown for me is fifth place, no podiums, losing technical director before the season and usually fighting for places 8-12, 1,5 seconds (or whatever) behind leaders. That's 2013 reality and what will happen in 2014 is unknown except for change of team principal, one rookie driver, one driver past his best and general transition season before change of engine supplier. Disadvantage of not being engine manufacturer is similar. As for losing personnel McL had their fair share over the previous seasons: Fry and others to Ferrari, Lowe etc., they also lost Santander, Vodafone and other sponsors.

Holy ---, so much bullshit. Who cares if they singed many new engineers from other teams, even the most important RBR duo besides Newey, ha? Complete meltdown!

they also lost Santander, Vodafone and other sponsors.

That is a lie. Santander is still their partner, they even renewed partnership a few days ago. They only lost Vodafone. Neale said that this year the team will have the biggest budget in the history.

Comparing Lotus and McLaren is just dumb.

They signed them but they're not working for them, do they? They "lost" Santander in their full capacity to Ferrari (amount of money is important), the rest - facts.

Someone said delay is because of Dennis' bargaining position - I say (knowing nothing of course) that it's because potential sponsor is waiting if McLaren is good or bad under new set of rules. May not be true but is plausible if you realise they are about to throw millions on a long-term deal after poor season. Unless it's Honda related and it doesn't matter.

Just because McLaren have strong marketing, fan base and friendly (it's not about friendship) journalists together spinning every failure into "we are stronger" story reality does not change. They also lost Hamilton, may be a problem for sponsors, talking about Alonso and firing Perez is no substitute, Magnussen may be v. good but it's another unknown and he's less marketable. It's also interesting how highly rated Boullier became after he left, I don't recall anyone saying season or three ago that Lotus was going to be great because he was there, on the contrary.

[Kiril Varbanov]

Boulier confirmed:

[kooleracer]

Boulier confirmed:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfI4ZUUCcAAKEW3.jpg:large

For that new spot (McLaren Racing CEO) there are only 2 options Ross Brawn of a top brass from Honda. 80% sure that will be Ross. That role is created for him, he wants be in charge of a race team and that new role is exactly what Ross was looking for at Mercedes F1.

[adrianjordan]

Boulier confirmed:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfI4ZUUCcAAKEW3.jpg:large

For that new spot (McLaren Racing CEO) there are only 2 options Ross Brawn of a top brass from Honda. 80% sure that will be Ross. That role is created for him, he wants be in charge of a race team and that new role is exactly what Ross was looking for at Mercedes F1.

Sounds like it doesn't it!!

[acosmichippo]

so wait... is "racing director" equivalent to "team principal"? Sounds like a higher position to me. if so, what are they doing for team principal? surely whitmarsh will be expected to leave after this move...

[bauc]

"In due course we'll announce the identity of McLaren Racing's new Chief Executive Officer, who'll report to me, and to whom Eric will report. I'm firmly of the belief that, once McLaren Racing's restructured senior management team has been assembled, together we'll begin the march back to full competitiveness, quickly and professionally, harnessing the fantastic depth of talent that exists within our organisation."

Does this mean there is room for one more?! Brawn maybe?

[iotar__]

"In due course we'll announce the identity of McLaren Racing's new Chief Executive Officer, who'll report to me, and to whom Eric will report. I'm firmly of the belief that, once McLaren Racing's restructured senior management team has been assembled, together we'll begin the march back to full competitiveness, quickly and professionally, harnessing the fantastic depth of talent that exists within our organisation."

Does this mean there is room for one more?! Brawn maybe?

Looks like it. Boullier is not team principal then however you name it. He's like above S. Michael for racing/operation, right? Corporate management titles mumbo-jumbo at its best:
Boullier "will work with chief operating officer Jonathan Neale and report to the chief executive officer of McLaren Racing, an all-new position which has yet to be filled, but which will be covered by Neale for the time being."

So at the time he "will work alongside" Neale but Neale is filling temporarily position higher to Boullier - "chief executive". Why do they need three positions: chief exec and Boullier and Neale below him.

Imagine if they asked Brawn: look, we just fired team principal and we're restructuring management positions, you're going to work with chief sth and be... Brawn: forget about it, even at Mercedes with 20 directors it was clearer .

Edit: Unless it's going to be Dennis filling "new" position with less hands-on work but making decisions - just to adhere to legal/corporate structure.

[danielk]

My understanding is that Brawn Left Mercedes as it was too top heavy. He didnt wana share his responsibilities and would only stay if he remained at the top.

This new role doesnt sound like it would fit what Ross wanted.

[Avocado]

so wait... is "racing director" equivalent to "team principal"?

Nope.

Does this mean there is room for one more?! Brawn maybe?

Yes, there is room for one more. Still chance for Brawn.

[CBeck113]

This would actually be tailor-made for his wishes - complete control of the team, only having to answer to the board, of which he would be a member.

[acosmichippo]

My understanding is that Brawn Left Mercedes as it was too top heavy. He didnt wana share his responsibilities and would only stay if he remained at the top.

This new role doesnt sound like it would fit what Ross wanted.

CEO sure sounds like the top to me.

[JimClarkFan]

If Brawn does arrive, that is a pretty strong team managerial team Macca will have.

Did we ever see this 'big named signed,' was peter prodromou the big name?

I was under the impression there were more to come, this was before what seems like the demise of Whitmarsh.

[fritticaldi]

McLaren is always a well organized team and it amazes me that they are announcing a team principal only 40 days before the first Grand Prix of the season. Regarding a title sponsor, there are stories that a Japanese tech giant (Sony) will be signed but they are also in negotiations with Lotus.