2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team

[Nicktendo86]

It’s official!

https://x.com/mclarenf1/status/20422448 ... 9iyhp-jHmg

[Macklaren]

Mark my words, this is meant to free up Stella to pursue an in house engine program ahead of the 2030 regs

[Ben1980]

I agree with what someone else said, Stella is looking a bit haggard.

Its a good appointment.

[mwillems]

Is it written anywhere what will be GPs role and responsibilities?

[Ben1980]

Is it written anywhere what will be GPs role and responsibilities?

Seemingly just whatever Chief Racing Officer. Maybe its been talked about before, especially if Stella has been doing the job as well as his TP role.

I would guess he will lead more on the pitwall, allowing Stella to focus on managing the chief designers.

[mwillems]

It'll be interesting to.know the org chart. I assume Stella will continue to report to Zak Brown? Is that something that has been confirmed?

[Ben1980]

It'll be interesting to.know the org chart. I assume Stella will continue to report to Zak Brown? Is that something that has been confirmed?

Don't think Stella's job as TP changes. He know has someone else reporting into him.

If anything this is sokidifying Stella's overall role, with everyone reporting into him and him still into Zak.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

I’m also surprised that no one has thrown out there the possibility that Verstappen joins McLaren… aren’t the McLaren drivers contracted to in and around the 2028 mark as well?

There are always break clauses in a driver contract. I don't see Max at McLaren though. I genuinely see him at Red Bull or walking away from F1.

[mwillems]

I ask because technically Stella will no longer be part of the C Suite if he's relinquishing the CRO role.

I also wonder if that means he'll remain a member or report to GP.

I can't imagine the latter, but segregating this role may dikure Stella's authority and position. If this is the case, it would have been done with Stellas blessing. But it is an interesting one. As mentioned, perhaps CRO and TP is too much and Stella doesnt care too much about the stuff above him as the team he works with.

But this is surprising and curious. And with the culture thatb GP came from and the type of team Stella likes to run...

Interesting and surprising.

[mwillems]

It'll be interesting to.know the org chart. I assume Stella will continue to report to Zak Brown? Is that something that has been confirmed?

Don't think Stella's job as TP changes. He know has someone else reporting into him.

If anything this is sokidifying Stella's overall role, with everyone reporting into him and him still into Zak.

Stella was CRO and TP, his role is being reduced.

[Ben1980]

It'll be interesting to.know the org chart. I assume Stella will continue to report to Zak Brown? Is that something that has been confirmed?

Don't think Stella's job as TP changes. He know has someone else reporting into him.

If anything this is sokidifying Stella's overall role, with everyone reporting into him and him still into Zak.

Stella was CRO and TP, his role is being reduced.

His management responsibility has increased though.

He will pretty much have responsibility for all of Mclaren F1.

I guess the worry was he was spread too thin trying to do 2 jobs.

If he can concentrate on managing in stead if doing it should work out better.

[BMMR61]

In terms of personality fit, GP seems a curious choice. Abrasive perhaps, but maybe this approach goes with the swagger of the emergent McLaren having 3 championships in 2 years. With the McLaren bench of “chiefs” already having two ex-RedBull signings these last 3 or 4 years, there would surely have been discussion among Marshall/Courtenay with Stella on how GP would fit in beyond just job description. It’s almost inevitable that McLaren fans have a significantly negative view of GP - “the enemy” even, having backed many of Max’s highly aggressive moves. On reflection, this is a very aggressive signing, probably a sign of a more confident McLaren. Just hope that it enhances Stella’s position in the team.

[mwillems]

Don't think Stella's job as TP changes. He know has someone else reporting into him.

If anything this is sokidifying Stella's overall role, with everyone reporting into him and him still into Zak.

Stella was CRO and TP, his role is being reduced.

His management responsibility has increased though.

He will pretty much have responsibility for all of Mclaren F1.

I guess the worry was he was spread too thin trying to do 2 jobs.

If he can concentrate on managing in stead if doing it should work out better.

He will absolutely be able to do that, but my thoughts were around the operating model, structure and roles and responsibilities.

And how this might impact the balance. Chief racing officer is expected to impact racing and this means how they work together is Key. But he is coming to a very different team than red bull.

[Ben1980]

Stella was CRO and TP, his role is being reduced.

His management responsibility has increased though.

He will pretty much have responsibility for all of Mclaren F1.

I guess the worry was he was spread too thin trying to do 2 jobs.

If he can concentrate on managing in stead if doing it should work out better.

He will absolutely be able to do that, but my thoughts were around the operating model, structure and roles and responsibilities.

And how this might impact the balance. Chief racing officer is expected to impact racing and this means how they work together is Key. But he is coming to a very different team than red bull.

Hes basically coming into Red Bull with the names already in house.

I guess the CRO is meant to impact racing, but depending on how ge us managed, will start have to do it how Stella wants it done.

I see people saying how GP worked with Max, though hard to argue it didn't work.

But Stella worked with Schumacher and Alonso, neither known for being easy going guys on track.

[kc_f1]

I think it is a very good hire. Championship winning creds adds real depth to the team. I hope the team doesn't become top heavy like Aston Martin with too many cooks.