INDIA in F1

Tag: McLaren Racing

  • McLaren Racing extends Lando Norris driver contract

    McLaren Racing extends Lando Norris driver contract

    Woking, 19 May 2021: McLaren Racing is pleased to announce it has extended its relationship with Lando Norris, the team’s current Formula 1 driver, in a multi-year agreement.

    The 21-year-old from Somerset, UK, has been part of the McLaren family since early 2017, initially joining as Test and Simulator driver, following championship victories in all but one of the single-seater junior formulae he competed in. Lando became McLaren Test and Reserve driver in 2018, taking part in a number of free practice sessions, before being promoted to a full-time race seat for the 2019 season.

    Since his Formula 1 racing debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2019, Lando has emerged as one of the sport’s most talented and popular drivers, impressing with performances resulting in two podium finishes at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2020 and, most recently, at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix earlier this season.

    This announcement cements the McLaren driver line-up for the coming years, confirming Lando Norris alongside 31-year-old Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who began a long-term relationship with the team at the start of the 2021 season.

    The confirmation of its driver pairing beyond 2022 signals McLaren Racing’s commitment to stability for the future and represents a further step in the team’s long-term plan to compete at the front of the field.

    Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Racing said:

    “I’m delighted with the extension of our agreement with Lando for 2022 and beyond. He’s been instrumental in our return of form here at McLaren and we’re proud of the growth he’s shown since he first started with us back in 2017. Lando is one of the brightest talents on the Formula 1 grid and we look forward to seeing him continue to go from strength-to-strength both on and off track.”

    Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren F1 said:

    “Our decision to confirm Lando’s long-term future at McLaren was very straightforward. Lando has impressed us since his rookie year with his performances, and his evolution as a driver since then has been clear to see. He’s an integral part of our performance recovery plan and his record so far, securing two podiums with the team over the past year, has shown he’s a formidable competitor on track. Like him, we have strong ambitions for our future together and I’m pleased we’re continuing this journey for both Lando and the team. In Lando and Daniel we have a hugely talented and exciting driver line-up, and this announcement is a strong signal of commitment to the next chapter for McLaren from 2022 onwards.”

    Lando Norris, McLaren Formula 1 driver said: 

    “I’m really pleased to have extended my relationship with McLaren from 2022. Having been with the team for almost five years, I feel very much part of the family here and I couldn’t imagine starting the next phase of my career anywhere else. McLaren has been a huge support since my days in junior series and I’ve really enjoyed learning and developing as a driver since.

    “My commitment to McLaren is clear: my goal is to win races and become Formula 1 World Champion and I want to do that with this team. Since joining in 2017 our progression has been consistent and we have clear ambitions together for the future.

    “I want to say thank you to Zak and Andreas for the belief they’ve shown in me since the beginning, and to the whole team for giving me such a strong environment to continue my career in. We’ve already had some incredible moments together which I’ll never forget – two podiums and securing P3 in the championship – and together with Daniel and the rest of the team I’m looking forward to pushing for even more success in the years to come.”

    About McLaren Racing

    McLaren Racing was founded by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963. The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966, since then McLaren has won 20 Formula 1 world championships, more than 180 Formula 1 grands prix, the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt and the Indianapolis 500 three times.

    McLaren Racing currently competes in Formula 1 globally and INDYCAR in the US. The team will contest the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. In 2021 McLaren Racing will race in the INDYCAR Series with drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist, while Juan Pablo Montoya will compete for the team at the 105th running of the Indy 500 in a third Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet.


    About Lando Norris

    2021 (up to and including Spanish Grand Prix, round 4)

    McLaren (4th, 1 podium, 41 pts)

    2020

    McLaren (9th, 1 podium, 97 pts)

    2019

    McLaren (11th, 49 pts)

    2018

    Formula 2 (2nd, 1 win, 1 pole, 9 podiums, 219 pts)

    McLaren Test and Reserve Driver

    2017

    European Formula 3 (Champion, 9 wins, 8 poles, 20 podiums, 441 pts)

    McLaren Test and Simulator Driver

    2016

    Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup (Champion, 6 wins, 10 poles, 11 podiums, 316 pts)

    Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup Champion (Champion, 5 wins, 6 poles, 12 podiums, 253 pts)

    Toyota Racing Series (Champion, 6 wins, 8 poles, 11 podiums, 924 pts)

    McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award winner

    2015

    MSA Formula (Champion, 8 wins, 10 poles, 15 podiums, 413 pts)

    2014

    CIK-FIA World Karting Championship (Champion)

    2013

    CIK-FIA European Karting Championship (Champion)

    CIK-FIA Karting Super Cup Championship (Champion)

    WSK Euro Series Karting Championship (Champion)

  • McLaren Racing signs up US rising karting star Ugo Ugochukwu

    McLaren Racing signs up US rising karting star Ugo Ugochukwu

    Woking, 22 March 2021: McLaren Racing today announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Ugo Ugochukwu, the promising young driver from the USA, who was recently crowned FIA European karting champion.

    The 13-year-old American has proven to be a revelation, already securing several titles in his young career in the US and Europe, and most recently winning the 2020 FIA OKJ European Championship.

    The agreement provides McLaren Racing with an option on Ugo’s services in the future, while supporting his development and evolution as he progresses through the junior categories of motorsport.

    Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:

    “We’ve been watching Ugo’s progress with interest, so when the opportunity to sign an agreement with him became available, we had no hesitation moving on it. Now we’ll focus on giving Ugo the right support when he needs it to help him fulfil his potential.” 

    Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren F1, said:

    “Ugo is a promising young talent with strong development prospects. While he is still early in his career, it is clear he has the ingredients to be successful in the sport. This signing reflects our refocused approach to identifying and supporting new talent, away from a formal young driver programme to a more tailored basis.”

    Ugo Ugochukwu, said:

    “I’m honoured to be signed by such an iconic team as McLaren Racing so early in my career. To have the support of McLaren is fantastic and what any young driver dreams of. I’m focused right now on developing as a driver and racer, so having McLaren by my side can only help me on and off the track.”

    About Ugo Ugochukwu

    Ugo is regarded as one of karting’s rising stars.

    Since he began karting in New York State in 2013, Ugo has gone on to race across the United States and Europe. The 13-year-old American has already shown his talent by winning the following series:

    • 2014 Micro Rok USA Championship
    • 2015 Florida Winter Tour Micromax Championship
    • 2017 International Open X30 Mini Championship
    • 2017 All Star X30 Mini Championship
    • 2018 Challenge of the Americas Rok Junior Championship
    • 2020 FIA OKJ European Championship

    Ugo is currently competing in Europe in the OK Senior class.

  • McLaren F1 team partnership with Coca-Cola to continue

    McLaren F1 team partnership with Coca-Cola to continue

    Woking (England), 5 Feb 2021: McLaren Racing on Friday announced a partnership extension with The Coca-Cola Company, which will see the iconic beverage brand continue as the Official Soft Drinks Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team. 

    Since McLaren and Coca-Cola first partnered in 2018, a range of commercial activations have engaged consumers globally through the McLaren Formula 1 team. Following the success of the ‘Coke Driven to Deliver’ campaign, in collaboration with Coke customer Amazon in 2020, the brands will continue to work together on new campaigns with the new McLaren F1 driver line-up of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. 

    As part of the partnership, Coca-Cola will maintain branding on the cockpit side of the McLaren MCL35M Formula 1 race cars and on the beverage bottles of Lando and Daniel.   


    Mark Waller, Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Racing, said:

    “Coca-Cola is an iconic brand and one of the biggest consumer brands in the world. We introduced Coca-Cola to Formula 1 three seasons ago since then, our collaboration has created innovative campaigns and activations with fans around the world at their centre. We are delighted to extend our partnership in 2021 and continue to support Coca-Cola and its commercial partners in reaching consumers through McLaren and Formula 1.”

    Matthew Tarallo, Global VP, Amazon, The Coca-Cola Company, said:

    “We are excited to be extending our partnership with McLaren into the 2021 season. Since 2018, we’ve executed incredibly impactful global activations, leveraging Amazon’s total ecosystem, and providing direct engagement and exclusive offerings to our consumers around the world. I’m looking forward to continuing this powerful partnership to drive joint value and growth into 2021.”

    — 

    About McLaren Racing: 

    McLaren Racing was founded by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963. The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966, since then McLaren has won 20 Formula 1 world championships, more than 180 Formula 1 grands prix, the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt and the Indianapolis 500 three times.

    McLaren Racing currently competes in Formula 1 globally and INDYCAR in the US. The team will contest the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. In 2021 McLaren Racing will race in the INDYCAR Series with drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist, while Juan Pablo Montoya will compete for the team at the 105th running of the Indy 500 in a third Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet.


    About The Coca-Cola Company:

    The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. Our portfolio of brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other sparkling soft drinks. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS.

    We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.

  • McLaren Racing announces changes to leadership structure as Eric Boullier quits

    McLaren Racing announces changes to leadership structure as Eric Boullier quits

    Photo: McLaren Racing (Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images)

    Woking (UK), 4 July 2018: McLaren Racing today announced a leadership restructure of its racing operations, with immediate effect. McLaren Racing Chief Executive Zak Brown yesterday accepted Eric Boullier’s resignation from his position as Racing Director. He also announced a simplified technical leadership team.

    Eric Boullier. Photo: McLaren Racing

    Simon Roberts, COO of McLaren Racing, will oversee production, engineering and logistics. Andrea Stella is appointed Performance Director, responsible for trackside operations. Gil de Ferran takes up the new role of Sporting Director, to maximise the effectiveness of the team’s racing package.

    These changes are the beginning of a comprehensive programme of positive changes to the technical leadership of McLaren’s racing organisation. The team will invest to retain and attract the best talent, internally and externally, to return McLaren Racing to the front of the grid.

    Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said: “The performance of the MCL33 in 2018 has not met the expectations of anyone at McLaren, especially our loyal fans. This is not the fault of the hundreds of committed and hard-working men and women at McLaren.

    “The causes are systemic and structural, which require major change from within. With today’s announcement, we start to address those issues head on and take the first step on our road to recovery.

    “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire team to thank Eric for his service and contribution to McLaren and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

    Eric Boullier said: “I am very proud to have worked with such a brilliant team over the past four years, but I recognise now is the right time for me to step down. I want to wish everyone at McLaren the best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”

  • Zak Brown is McLaren F1 CEO as Group continues `simplification’ process

    Zak Brown is McLaren F1 CEO as Group continues `simplification’ process

    Photo: McLaren

    Woking, April 10: The 46-year old American Zak Brown will become the CEO of McLaren Racing following the merger of McLaren Automotive and McLaren Technology Group in July 2017 in a `corporate simplification’ process announced by the McLaren Group on Tuesday.

    Several further developments in the company’s operational structure were announced to “bring greater efficiency and simplification to the business”.

    According to a press release, Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, McLaren Group Executive Chairman, explained: “

    The work of the past year at a corporate level has been focused on structuring and positioning McLaren for growth.”

    He continued: “These latest developments are a natural consequence of that work and are designed to bring greater simplicity and clarity to the structure and leadership of the group.”

    The McLaren Group previously consisted of two divisions: McLaren Technology Group, which comprised McLaren Racing, McLaren Applied Technologies, and McLaren Marketing; and McLaren Automotive.

    The McLaren Group is now formed of three clear divisions: Applied Technologies, Automotive, and Racing. Leadership of the business is simplified, with each division led by a CEO. The layer of McLaren Technology Group is being dissolved from the corporate structure.

    The Executive Committee (ExCom), comprising Shaikh Mohammed and Mansour Ojjeh, will continue in its overseeing role.

    Jonathan Neale becomes Chief Operating Officer of the McLaren Group. Zak Brown becomes CEO, McLaren Racing. Mike Flewitt continues as CEO, McLaren Automotive. A new CEO of McLaren Applied Technologies is being recruited and will be announced in due course.

    Eric Boullier, Racing Director, will report directly to Zak Brown, while John Allert, Chief Marketing Officer, continues to oversee the company’s marketing function, reporting to Zak Brown as before.

    In line with the group’s global vision as a leading sport and technology powerhouse, this structure underpins the McLaren Group’s scope for growth: for the brand, its products, services, and operations.

    McLaren Press Release