In a significant development within the Formula One landscape, Will Courtenay, the head of race strategy at Red Bull, has announced his departure following an impressive two-decade tenure with the team. Courtenay is set to join McLaren as their new sporting director, a move that was confirmed by the Woking-based team on Tuesday.
This transition follows a series of prominent exits from Red Bull, including that of star designer Adrian Newey, who has recently taken on the role of managing technical partner at Aston Martin.
When asked about the timeline for Courtenay’s start at McLaren, there is still some uncertainty, particularly since reports suggest that his contract with Red Bull doesn’t expire until mid-2026. Nonetheless, McLaren is optimistic about this new addition. “We are thrilled to welcome Will to McLaren,” said team principal Andrea Stella. “His experience, professionalism, and passion for motorsport make him the perfect candidate to lead our Formula One sporting operations.”
Stella highlighted the significance of this moment for McLaren, stating, “We are now entering a crucial phase in our journey as a team, and we are confident that he will be a valuable addition to our strong leadership group as we aim to keep competing for wins and championships.” With the current champions finding themselves 41 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings with six races remaining this season, this move could mark a pivotal shift in the competitive dynamics of Formula One.
