Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Team Principal

  • Newey to become Aston Martin Team Principal

    Design legend, Adrian Newey will become Team Principal of the Aston Martin at the start of next year, as part of an extension of his role as Managing Technical Partner.

    Newey began working with Aston Martin on March 1st earlier this year, having spent the best part of two decades with Red Bull.

    As part of his revised role, Newey will guide the technical team, including trackside operations of the car.

    Andy Cowell, who has spent the last year as Team Principal and CEO implementing structural changes to aid the squad’s transition to a full works team next year, will become Chief Strategy Officer.

    His focus will be on optimising the technical partnership between the team, works engine supplier Honda, fuel supplier Aramco and lubricant parter Valvoline.
    Aston Martin says the leadership structure change is designed to focus on Newey and Cowell’s “individual strengths and expertise, ensuring organisational efficiency”.

    Newey has been working on next year’s design, which will be built to sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations, since he joined in March – with the team hoping to herald a new era and step up the order.

    Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team. I’m looking forward to taking on this additional role as we put ourselves in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face an entirely new position with Aston Martin now a works team combined with the considerable challenge faced by the new regulations. Andy’s new role, focusing on the integration of the new PU with our three key partners, will be pivotal in this journey.
    Newey on the news.

    Having implemented much needed structural changes as we transition to a full works team and set the foundations for Adrian and the wider organisation, it is an appropriate time for me to take a different role as Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, I will help to optimise the technical partnership between the Team, Honda, Aramco and Valvoline and to ensure the seamless integration of the Team’s new PU, fuel and chassis.
    Cowell on the change of role.

  • Ian James joins Jaguar as Team Principal

    Jaguar TCS Racing have appointed Ian James as Team Principal starting in October to lead the team into the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and then GEN4 era.

    James, who will also be Managing Director JLR Motorsport, has a proven record of leadership success in Formula E including four World Championship titles with Mercedes-EQ – two Teams’ and two Drivers’.
    His move to Jaguar follows his stint at the helm of NEOM McLaren.

    The 47 year old spent much of last season attempting to save the McLaren team via a deal that initially looked to include the Stellantis brand Citroen.
    But a combination of political manoeuvrings on both the Stellantis side and via Formula E Operations’ acquisition of the Maserati MSG licence scuppered the deal at a relatively late stage.

    That meant the McLaren team was closed, and its assets were disbanded and its staff let go throughout August and September. James is believed to have formally accepted the offer to succeed Barclay shortly after the end of the last Formula E campaign.

    James will take over a Jaguar team that will go into its 10th Formula E season as one of the favourites for titles after a strong end to the 2024 – 25 season.
    It notched up the most wins for a single manufacturer – seven – with four for Nick Cassidy, two for Mitch Evans and a single success for customer team Envision Racing after Sebastien Buemi won at Monaco.

    I’m incredibly proud to be joining Jaguar – a brand with a unique history of technical innovation through racing and now with an exciting all-electric future ahead of it. To be able to lead the talented team at Jaguar TCS Racing to fight for success on-track while pioneering EV development through competition will be a privilege.
    James on the news.

    Our JLR Motorsport programmes play a vital role within the business – developing and innovating technology for the future benefit of our customers and inspiring our global 40,000-strong workforce with a winning mindset. Ian joins Jaguar TCS Racing at a particularly relevant time for the Jaguar brand – as hardware and software technology proven on-track will transfer to the next generation of Jaguar all-electric road cars previewed by Type 00 – and also for Formula E as we are only a year away from the GEN4 era of regulations. I’m looking forward to working with Ian on leading the team to further success.
    Chris Thorp, Chairman JLR Motorsport.

  • Ferrari give Vasseur new multi-year contract

    Ferrari have handed their Team Principal Fred Vasseur a multi-year contract, which the team say “reflects Ferrari’s determination to build on the foundation laid so far”.

    Vasseur joined the Italian team ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season and under his watch, the team challenged McLaren for the 2024 Teams’ Championship until the last race before finishing just 14 points behind the champions.

    While they trail the McLaren by a mammoth 299 points as we are in the summer break, Ferrari have managed to hold on to P2 in the Teams’ Championship, fending off rivals Mercedes and Red Bull.

    One of Vasseur’s key strengths is his ability to shield and protect his team from external factors.
    Despite the uncertainty and speculation, he’s managed to do just that with the team keeping their heads down.

    The new deal will kelp restore a greater sense of calm among the team and allow them to focus on trying to take advantage of sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations for 2026.
    But now that Vasseur’s immediate future has been secured, Ferrari senior management will expect him to lead the team to respond well to those rule changes and challenge for both championships next year.

  • Horner exits Red Bull with immediate effect

    Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner is to exit the squad with immediate effect, with Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies taking over.

    Horner has held the role for some 20 years – the Briton leading Red Bull through their first F1 season back in 2005 and playing a key role in turning them from points scorers into World Champions.

    Christian has overseen two periods of dominance by Red Bull, with Sebastian Vettel and the team winning four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships from 2010 – 2013 and then with Max Verstappen winning the last four drivers’ championships from 2021 – 2024. With Red Bull being constructors’ champions in 2022 and 2023.

    Horner’s last race in charge was Sunday’s British GP at Silverstone where Verstappen started on pole position but finished fifth after a spin in the wet.

    Red Bull are currently fourth in the constructors’ standings, 365 points away from leaders McLaren, with Ferrari and Mercedes also ahead of them in the standings.

    Verstappen has scored 187 of Red Bull’s 194 points this season.
    Rookie Liam Lawson was dropped as the Dutchman’s team-mate after just two races while Yuki Tsunoda has also struggled in the second Red Bull car.

    Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments thanked Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
    A Red Bull spokesperson.

    We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.
    Added Mintzlaff.

    As part of the managerial reshuffle, current Racing Bulls Racing Director Alan Permane will be promoted to Team Principal at the sister outfit.

    The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer, Racing Bulls CEO]. It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes.
    Mekies on the news.

    I feel very honoured to take on the role as Team Principal and would like to thank Oliver and Helmut [Marko, Red Bull advisor] for the trust they have shown in me. I am looking forward to working with Peter to continue the good work that both him and Laurent have done in taking this team forward. This is a new challenge for me, but I know that I can count on the support of everyone within them.
    Permane on the news.

  • James Vowles signs new long-term contract

    James Vowles has singed a new long-term contact as he continues on as Team Principal at Williams, meaning that he will remain at the head of the squad as they push to return to championship-winning glory.

    Vowles joined the team ahead of the 2023 season from Mercedes, where he had acted as Motorsport Strategy Director for four years. He previously held key engineering and strategy roles at Mercedes, Brawn GP, Honda and BAR across 21 years in the sport.

    Since then the Briton – who is only Williams’ third Team Principal in their 48 year history – has been focused on transforming the outfit as they look to make their way back to the front of the grid, following on from Dorilton Capital’s purchase of the team in 2020.

    So far in 2025, Williams have enjoyed their strongest start to a season since 2016, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz regularly clinching points to give the Grove-based squad a current position of fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.

    I am delighted to sign a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing, which has felt like home from the moment I walked through the door. This iconic team has already given me some incredible memories and we are all united in our ambition to build on our legacy and win World Championships again. Over the past two years we have focused on fixing the foundations, and now have a platform to go for glory in the years to come.
    Vowles on the news.

    We are thrilled that James has signed a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing and committed his future to completing the mission that we are on together. He has brought experience, energy and strategic leadership to the task of restoring Williams to the top step of the podium. We aren’t there yet but you can sense the momentum we are building at Grove and are excited about what lies ahead.
    Matthew Savage, Chairman of Williams and Dorilton Capital.

  • Alpine announce resignation of Team Principal

    Following on from the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine have announced that Team Principal Oliver Oakes has resigned from the team with immediate effect.

    Oakes joined Alpine in July 2024, the former racing driver, who also runs the Hitech Grand Prix squad – overseeing a strong end to the season that saw the team lift themselves to sixth in the Teams’ Championship.

    Post-Miami, the team currently sits P9 in the Teams’ standings on seven points, only one point ahead of Kick Sauber, as Jack Doohan was still to score this season.

    It remains to be seen who Alpine will look to replace Oakes with, but in the mean time Flavio Briatore will be taking the role of team principal too.

    Oakes joins the likes of Otmar Szafnauer and Bruno Famin on the list of Alpine team bosses who have left the position in the previous two years.

    BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal. The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect. As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes. The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship. The team will not be making any further comment.
    The teams’ statement.

    A lot has been said in the past 24 hours incorrectly associating the decision of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement, or that we shared different views. This is completely false and far from the truth. Me and Oli have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this team forward together. We respect Oli’s request to resign and have therefore accepted his resignation. The reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature. I will continue to be more and more involved with the team, together with the strong management we already have in place. We will work hard on improving our position this season and preparing for 2026.
    Flavio Briatore on the news.

    It’s been a privilege to lead everyone at Enstone. What a team, what a place. It is a personal decision for me to step down. Flavio has been like a father to me, nothing but supportive since I took the role, as well as giving me the opportunity. Everyone is in place for 2026 and where this dream deserves to be! I believe in Enstone.
    Oakes on the news.

  • Kick Sauber confirm Wheatley’s start date

    Kick Sauber have confirmed that Jonathan Wheatley will officially become their Team Principal on April 1st, 2025.

    Wheatley, who has long served as Red Bull’s Sporting Director, was announced in the position last August, but the Swiss team stopped short of communicating an exact start date.

    Now, that date has been finalised for the beginning of next month, with Wheatley’s race debut to follow at the Japanese Grand Prix.

    Wheatley will lead the management team at Sauber Motorsport AG alongside Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Mattia Binotto.
    In their respective positions, both Binotto and Wheatley will report directly to Gernot Dollner in his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.

    It comes as German car manufacturer Audi prepare to take over Sauber’s entry and make it their own works operation from the 2026 season onwards.

    Wheatley’s career in F1 started with Benetton in the early 1990s where he climbed the ranks to become Chief Mechanic and remained there through the team’s Renault guise.
    He joined Red Bull’s new team in 2006, achieving significant success – including six Teams’ and seven Drivers’ titles – as Sporting Director.

  • Andy Cowell becomes Team Principal at AM

    Aston Martin have announced that Andy Cowell will assume the role of Team Principal alongside his position as CEO with immediate effect, with Mike Krack moving to the position of Chief Trackside Officer as part of an organisation restructure.

    In a shift towards a flatter structure, Cowell – who previously joined the squad in October as CEO – will also become Team Principal, with the squad’s Aerodynamics, Engineering and Performance Departments both trackside and at the AMR Technology Campus reporting into him.

    Krack – who has held the role of Team Principal since 2022 – will focus on getting the most performance out of the car at the track in his role as Chief Trackside Officer.

    The AMR Technology Campus-based team, meanwhile are set to be led by new Chief Technical Officer Enrico Caridle, while Tom McCullough will remain with the group in a leadership position.

    Cardile will oversee the architecture, design and build of new race cars, having joined the team after leaving his position as Technical Director Chassis and Aerodynamics at Ferrari last year.

    McCullough who held the position of Performance Director and has worked with the team for 11 years – is set to play a role in the expansion of the team’s broader range of racing catgeories.

    I have spent the last three months understanding and assessing our performance, and I’ve been incredibly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work of this team. With the completion of the AMR Technology Campus and our transition in 2026 to a full works team, alongside our strategic partners Honda and Aramco, we are on a journey to becoming a Championship-winning team. These organisational changes are a natural evolution of the multi-year plans that we have scheduled to make and I’m incredibly excited about the future.
    Cowell on the restructure.

  • Andrea Stella signs multi-year extension

    McLaren have handed Team Principal Andrea Stella a multi-year contract extension following a strong first-half of the season that has seen the iconic British team become genuine world championship contenders.

    Stella joined McLaren in 2015, working as Head of Race Operations and Performance Director before earning promotion to Executive Director of Racing in 2019.

    Since becoming Team Principal in 2022, the team has progressed rapidly – earning two Grand Prix wins, 18 further podiums and a Sprint victory.

    McLaren are currently on a run of 10 successive podiums and sit just 42 points (less than the number of points you can earn in a single Grand Prix weekend) behind championship leaders Red Bull.

    Within the last year, McLaren have agreed multi-year extensions with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as the team focuses on stability on their quest to return a first World Championship since 2008.

    It’s a privilege to be part of the McLaren Formula 1 team, and I am honoured to continue in my role as Team Principal. We’ve made great strides forward in the past year and a half and we still have a lot more work to do to consistently fight at the front of the grid, which poses an exciting challenge. Success comes through the team working in synergy, and I am enjoying my role, which has allowed me to help unlock individual talent and empower people to work together towards our Team’s objectives. My thanks go to Zak for his confidence in me as a leader, to my entire leadership team and all my colleagues in the Team, for their continued collaboration and support. I am excited for what we can continue to achieve together.
    Stella on the news.

    I am delighted to confirm we’ve extended Andrea’s contract as our F1 Team Principal for multiple years. His excellent leadership, expertise and the respect he holds within the team and Formula 1 means we could not have a better person in place to continue the pursuit of consistently fighting at the front of the grid. His impact on McLaren F1 in his role as Team Principal has been profound, not only through our results on track and the trajectory of the team but also in his development of our culture and mindset. With multi-year extensions already agreed with Lando, Oscar, and now Andrea, we can confidently continue on our quest to become World Champions. We’re all looking forward to the years to come under Andrea’s leadership.
    Zak Brown on the news.

  • Jonathan Wheatley to leave Red Bull & become Audi TP

    Jonathan Wheatley will be leaving his role as Red Bull’s Sporting Director to become Team Principal of the Audi F1 Team.

    Wheatley has become a significant senior figure during nearly two decades with the organisation and played a major key role in winning 13 World Championships.

    Red Bull say Wheatley will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, before entering a period of gardening leave in 2025.

    The news comes just after it was announced Audi CEO Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffman were leaving the project with ex-Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binotto arriving to head it up.

    Binotto’s official title is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer with Audi saying he and Wheatley will together head the new management team at Sauber Motorsport AG.
    In their new positions, both will report directly to Dollner.

    Wheatley is now the second major player to this year announce their departure from Red Bull, with design guru Adrian Newey set to leave after almost 20 years with the team.

    It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years. His contribution to six World Constructors’ Titles and seven World Drivers’ Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history.
    Horner on the news.

    I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team. Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team.
    Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi AG.

    I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories. However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge. Also I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project.
    Wheatley on leaving Red Bull for Audi.

    I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert. 2026 is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success.
    Binotto on joining forces with Wheatley.

  • Alpine announce Oliver Oakes as Team Principal

    Alpine have confirmed that Oliver Oakes is joining the team as their new Team Principal, following the news during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that Bruno Famin would step down from the role.

    Famin stated at Spa-Francorchamps that he will depart the position at the end of August in order to focus on all other motorsport related activities for the Renault Group at Viry-Chatillon.

    It has now been announced that Oakes – a former racing driver who was once a member of the Red Bull Young Driver Programme – will fill the role.

    After competing in karting and single seater racing in the 2000s, Oakes moved into management and founded Hitech Grand Prix – a team that competes in both Formula 2 and Formula 3 – in 2015.

    Oakes will start in his new role after the summer break and will report to Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo.
    At 36 years old, the Brit becomes the second youngest Team Principal in Formula 1 history.

    I am extremely grateful to Luca de Meo and Flavio Briatore for this opportunity to lead BWT Alpine F1 Team back to competitiveness. The team has talented people and excellent resources at its core, and I am confident that we can accomplish a great deal together during the remainder of this season and the longer term. I look forward to getting started after the summer break.
    Oakes on the news.

    It is a pleasure to welcome Oli to the team and for him to become one of the youngest Team Principals that this sport has ever seen. This team is being built for future success and this is highlighted by Oli’s appointment in a senior role. We look forward to harnessing his enthusiasm, energy and passion for racing and realising that mindset across the entire team.
    De Meo added.

    I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Oli Oakes for our Formula 1 project. Oli is highly talented with a great record of leadership and success in racing. His move into this role is a great example of the strength and belief we have in our team and by young, upcoming people, and I’m excited to work closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races.
    Briatore also commented.

  • Alpine confirm Famin to leave his role as Team Principal

    Bruno Famin will move away from his role as Alpine Team Principal, the team have announced.

    The Frenchman had been confirmed as the Enstone-based outfit’s Team Principal before the start of the current F1 season, following an interim period in charge after the departure of previous team boss Otmar Szafnauer at last year’s Belgian Grand Prix.

    Just before last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix weekend, it had been announced that Famin will move away from his role by the end of August and will be in charge of all other Motorsport activities of the Renault Group at Viry-Chatillon.

    The news comes after several changes at Alpine across recent months, with the squad undergoing a technical restructure that saw Technical Director Matt Harman and head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer leave earlier in the year.

    David Sanchez was then appointed as Executive Director in May, having previously worked for the outfit earlier in his career. He was later joined by Michael Broadhurst and Vin Dhanani as Chief Aerodynamicist and Head of Vehicle Performance respectively.

    In June, Flavio Briatore became Executive Advisor at Alpine, with the remit of his role being “predominantly focus on top level areas of the team” it was stated at the time.

    On the driver front, charges are being made for 2025, with Esteban Ocon departing the team at the end of the season which was confirmed in June.
    While Pierre Gasly has singed a multi-year extension to remain with the squad, his team mate has not yet been revealed.

    The background is there are many things together. The main one is we are at a very interesting moment for the Alpine brand, where we have a project that is even stronger than one year ago. Then there is a project of reallocating the resources within the brand from the Formula 1 power unit, where we have equally skilled people, to the brand itself in developing these high-end technologies. On the other hand, we have our new Executive Advisor [Briatore] who has arrived a few weeks ago – I work well [with him], I’m fine with him, I work well since he has arrived. But I think he has seen things with his own eyes, and on one hand I need to dedicate my time to the Viry-Chatillon people, who are doing an amazing job, and we need to be together to be able to deliver this transformation if it’s confirmed, and on the other hand I think the global governance of the F1 team will be clear.
    Famin on his exit as Team Principal.

  • Toto Wolff signs new deal until end of 2026

    Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ Team Principal and also owns one-third of the team, will remain in his role until at least the first year of F1’s next big rule change.

    Wolff, INEOS and Mercedes-Benz said the trio decided “let’s do it again” as they plot a way back to the summit of the sport.

    The Austrian has held the team principal role in addition to shareholding at Mercedes since joining from Williams in 2013, which led them to a record eight successive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021.

    There was some speculation over Wolff’s future in the day-to-day team boss role at Mercedes, but the 52 year old feels he remains the best person for the job.

    Mercedes this year are looking to build on respective P3 and P2 finishes in the 2022 and 2023 constructors’ standings.

    I think the most important thing between the three of us is that we trust each other. At the end of the day, as a shareholder myself, I want the best return on investment. And the best return on investment is winning. I’m not going to try to hang on to a position that I think somebody is going to do better than me. I make sure that I have people around who can tell me otherwise. In the end the three of us decided: ‘Let’s do it again’. I’m part of this team in various functions. I’m a co-shareholder. I’m on the board. These are things which will not change whatever executive, or non-executive, role I have. But I feel good. The risk for me is always more bore-out than burnout. And that’s why I embrace the challenges we have today, even though they sometimes feel very, very difficult to manage.

    Wolff telling the Daily Telegraph.

  • Guenther Steiner leaves Haas with immediate effect

    Guenther Steiner has left his role as Team Principal of Haas F1 Team, with Director of Engineering Ayao Komatsu stepping up to replace him.

    Steiner has led the team since the American squad entered F1 in 2016. The Italian was F1’s third longest-serving team principal, behind Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, and a popular figure in the sport.

    The team enjoyed genuine highs while under Steiner’s guidance, including points on debut in Australia in 2016, a maiden pole position in Brazil last year and a fifth placed finish in the constructors’ championship in 2018.

    However, when there is highs, there is lows… Last year was tough for the Haas team, the finished last in the constructors’ championship, a drop of two places on the previous season, as they struggled to transform one-lap pace in qualifying into points-scoring race pace on Sunday.

    After discussions between Steiner and owner Gene Haas over the winter, it was decided that Steiner would leave the team with immediate effect.

    His replacement Komatsu, 47, has worked with Haas since they debuted in F1 in 2016, starting out as Chief Race Engineer and rising to Director of Engineering.

    He has over 20 years of experience in Formula 1, working across engineering and management roles with British American Racing, plus a long stint at Renault before he joined Haas.

    Haas say Komatsu will take responsibility for the team’s overall strategy, and ultimately on track performance with a brief to maximise the team’s potential through employee empowerment and structural process and efficiency.

    With Komatsu focused on the on-track performance, Haas plan to recruit a European-based Chief Operating Officer who will look after all non-competition matters and departments, including areas such as HR, admin, finance, marketing and communications.

    I’d like to start by extending my thanks to Guenther Steiner for all his hard work over the past decade and I wish him well for the future. Moving forward as an organization, it was clear we need to improve our on-track performances. In appointing Ayao Komatsu as Team Principal we fundamentally have engineering at the heart of our management. We have had some successes, but we need to be consistent in delivering results that help us reach our wider goals as an organization. We need to be efficient with the resources we have but improving our design and engineering capability is key to our success as a team. I’m looking forward to working with Ayao and fundamentally ensuring that we maximize our potential – this truly reflects my desire to compete properly in Formula 1.

    Gene Haas, Owner.

    I’m naturally very excited to have the opportunity to be Team Principal at Haas. Having been with the team since its track-debut back in 2016 I’m obviously passionately invested in its success in Formula 1. I’m looking forward to leading our program and the various competitive operations internally to ensure we can build a structure that produces improved on-track performances. We are a results-based business at the end of the day, and we obviously haven’t been competitive enough recently which has been a source of frustration. We have amazing support from Gene and our various partners – particularly MoneyGram, and we want to mirror their enthusiasm with an improved on-track product. We have a great team of people across Kannapolis, Banbury and Maranello and together I know we can reach the kind of performances we’re capable of.

    Komatsu on the promotion.

  • Changes at Alpine…

    Alpine have made some changes as team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane leave the team, whilst chief technical officer Pat Fry has left to join Formula 1 rivals, Williams.

    The exits are confirmed with the French team who currently sit sixth in the constructors’ championship after 11 rounds of the 2023 season, following successive double DNFs for both drivers at the British and Hungarian Grand Prix.

    Alpine Motorsports vice president, Bruno Famin will take over from Szafnauer as interim team principal, while Alpine academy director, Julian Rouse is named interim sporting director and technical director Matt Harman takes leadership of the “technical team”.

    Fry, the only member of the trio who appears to have chosen to exit, will be able to work at Williams in November after taking up the same role with the British team.
    He replaces, Francois-Xavier Demaison, who left Williams in December amid a shake-up that also saw James Vowles replaces Jost Capito as team principal.

    The Alpine exits come little more than a week after Laurent Rossi was replaced as brand chief executive by Philippe Krieft, amid apparent infighting at the Enstone-based team.

    Szafnauer, has paid the price for Alpine’s disappointing first half of the 2023 season, which sees them sit 134 points adrift of Ferrari, who currently hold the fourth position in which the French team finished last year.

    BWT Alpine F1 Team announces today it will part ways with Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer by mutual agreement following the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. Otmar will continue his duties as normal for last weekend’s race in Belgium, before leaving the team ahead of the summer break. The team would like to thank Otmar for his hard work over the past 18 months and for leading the team in achieving fourth place in the 2022 Constructors’ Championship. The team wishes him the best for the future. The team can also confirm it will part ways with Sporting Director Alan Permane by mutual agreement. Alan will also continue his role last weekend in Belgium before departing ahead of the summer break. After 34 distinguished years at Enstone, the team extends its thanks to Alan and wishes him the best in his future endeavours. The team also announces that Pat Fry will leave the team to continue his career in Formula 1 elsewhere.

    A Team Statement.

  • Williams announce Merc strategy chief, James Vowles as TP

    Williams have revealed that Mercedes, strategist James Vowles will take the place of Jost Capito as their new team boss.

    Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison both left Williams in December, following a 2022 season in which the team placed at the bottom of the F1 constructors’ standings having scored just eight points.

    Vowles has enjoyed a 21-year career in F1, representing the Silver Arrows since 2010 and serving as their Motorsport Strategy Director over the last four years. He previously held key engineering and strategy roles at Mercedes, Brawn GP, Honda and BAR.

    Vowles, who also worked with Williams Brand Ambassador Jenson Button during their title-winning days at Brawn, will be joining the Grove operation on February 20th ahead of the 2023 season opener i Bahrain.

    I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It’s an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge. Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. The team has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks.

    Vowles on his new role.

    We are delighted to welcome James to Williams Racing. He is one of the most highly respected talents in Formula 1 and will bring performance. He has been a key part of some of the most impressive feats in the sport over the past 15 years. As we continue our relentless pursuit for results, we believe that the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to ensuring we have energetic, experienced, and strong leadership as we move into the next phase of transforming Williams Racing.

    Matthew Savage, Dorilton Capital Chairman.

  • Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal

    McLaren have promoted from within by handing Executive Director of Racing Andrea Stella the role of Team Principal for 2023, following the departure of Andreas Seidl to the Sauber Group.

    Stella has been with McLaren since 2015, first working as Head of Race Operations before being promoted to Performance Director and then his most recent role as Racing Director.

    Before joining McLaren, Stella worked at Ferrari for 15 years, taking on the role of performance engineer for Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen and then racing engineer for Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.

    I’m delighted that Andrea Stella will step into the Team Principal role and lead our F1 technical and operational programme. Andrea is a highly talented, experienced and respected member of our team with a strong track record of leadership and success in Formula 1. His move into this role is a great example of the strength in depth we have in our team, and I’m excited to be working more closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races. I’ve really enjoyed working with Andreas. He has provided great leadership for the team and has played a significant part in our F1 performance recovery plan and ongoing journey to return to the front of the grid. I thank him for the transparency throughout the process which gave us time to plan accordingly.

    Zak Brown, on the latest news.

    I feel privileged to take on the Team Principal role as the next stage of being part of the McLaren F1 Team. I am grateful to Zak and the Shareholders for their trust in me and to all my colleagues and those who have supported me throughout my F1 career. We are realistic about the amount of work ahead of us to move back up the grid, but I am excited and encouraged that I am in this journey together with a team full of talent, experience, racing spirit and dedication. I look forward to working closely with each of them, Lando and Oscar, to together achieving great success and enjoying the journey.

    Stella on his new role.

  • Vasseur leaves Alfa Romeo, joins Ferrari

    Fred Vasseur will be leaving his role as Alfa Romeo Team Principal and Sauber Motorsport CEO in January 2023, after six years with the Swiss operation.

    Vasseur first joined Sauber in 2017 with the team 10th and last in the constructors’ championship, and set about rebuilding and growing the famous marque.

    They’ve taken on Alfa Romeo as a title sponsor and secured the team’s best constructors’ championship finish in a decade with sixth this season.

    The Frenchman, also played a key role in the deal that will see Audi enter Formula 1 in 2026 by making Sauber their factory team.

    As I prepare to bring my adventure at Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN to an end, I can look back fondly at these six years together. I owe a debt of gratitude to every single employee of the team, as they are the ones who got this team back on their feet and climbing the ladder of our sport. I am proud of the job we collectively have done as a team and a company, and even more so of the strong foundations we have laid for what’s to come next: but what I am the proudest of is the people that made this all possible, which in time have become friends. This team will always feel like home and I’ll be rooting for it wherever I go. I have learnt so much during my stint as a CEO and Team Principal and I feel each day has equipped me for what is to come. I know Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN will keep going from strength to strength and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete at the business end of the grid in the next few years.

    Fred Vasseur on leaving the team.

    Ferrari have appointed Fred Vasseur as Team Principle with the Alfa Romeo boss and Sauber Motorsport CEO replacing Mattia Binotto from January 2023.

    Following weeks of discussions, Vasseur decided to end his six year tenure at Sauber and join Ferrari in what is one of the biggest – if not the biggest job in motorsport.

    Vasseur brings with him more than two decades’ worth of motorsport experience, including a stint as team boss at Renault during the 2016 campaign.

    We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our Team Principal. Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams. This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.

    Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna.

    I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal. As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me. I look forward to working with the talented and truly passionate team in Maranello to honour the history and heritage of the Scuderia and deliver for our Tifosi around the world.

    Fred Vasseur on his new role.