Red Bull strategy chief is set to join rivals McLaren

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

In a significant move within the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull's head of race strategy, Will Courtenay, is set to join rivals McLaren as their new sporting director. This change was confirmed on Tuesday.

Courtenay's departure marks another high-profile exit for Red Bull, who already lost star designer and former chief technical officer Adrian Newey earlier this September. Newey moved to Aston Martin, taking up the role of managing technical partner.

After dedicating 20 years to Red Bull, Courtenay brings a wealth of experience to McLaren and will report to racing director Randeep Singh. However, the exact timing of his transition remains uncertain, with Courtenay's contract with Red Bull reported to extend until mid-2026.

In an official statement, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment:

"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."

Stella further emphasized the strategic importance of Courtenay's role as McLaren aims to bolster its competitive edge:

"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."

The addition of Courtenay could prove crucial as McLaren aims to fortify its position in the constructors' standings. Currently, McLaren leads Red Bull by 41 points with six rounds remaining, including the upcoming United States Grand Prix.

The move signals McLaren's commitment to enhancing their strategic depth, potentially creating new dynamics in the ongoing rivalry with Red Bull.

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