McLaren has confirmed that technical director James Key has left the team with immediate effect, while David Sanchez will return in 2024.
Key joined McLaren from Toro Rosso – now AlphaTauri – and has overseen the team’s adoption of a new wind tunnel, which should become active in June.
During his time in Woking, McLaren has managed nine podium finishes – including a one-two in Monza in 2021 when Daniel Ricciardo led home Lando Norris.
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The changes are part of a series of changes to the technical department, with Peter Prodromou moving into the role of technical director for aerodynamics.
Sanchez, who had been at Ferrari for more than 10 years, comes back to his old team as technical director for car concept and performance, though will not take up his role until January 2024.
Team principal Andrea Stella feels that these changes will help the British side improve on what has been a poor start to the 2023 campaign.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank James for his hard work and commitment during his time at McLaren and wish him well for the future,” he said .
“Looking ahead, I am determined and fully focused on leading McLaren back to the front of the field. Since taking on the Team Principal role I have been given the mandate to take a strategic approach to ensure the team is set on a long-term foundation, for us to build on over the years.
“This new structure provides clarity and effectiveness within the team’s technical department and puts us in a strong position to maximise performance, including optimising the new infrastructure upgrades we have coming in 2023.”
The team’s CEO, Zak Brown, added: “It’s important now that we ensure we have a solid foundation as the next phase of our journey.
“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 restructure required to set the wheels in motion to turn this around.”
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