325 replies to this topic

[purpleturtle]

I've put some who I think would be useful to McLaren, and headline grabbing. I'm guessing they will go with someone on the aero front, and potentially a poach from the dominant Red Bull tech team (so Peter Prodromou - who was previously at McLaren, and Newey got him to come with), or Rob Marshall (Chief Designer at Red Bull). Those guys must be a little frustrated at Red Bull, knowing that Newey takes all the credit, and there really is no where for them to go within Red Bull until Newey retires/defects - which I don't see happening soon, with Newey being in such a really good place. Red Bull treat him really well, he gets more stardom than the team principal or Vettel in some cases.. they've given him the title Chief Technical Officer, let him drive F1 cars etc. and he does not sit under the tp, Christian, as is usually the case with technical directors, as can be seen in the Red Bull org chart on their website - so I'm guessing this gets to those under Newey - just how much credit he gets (regardless of whether it is warranted). Plus we've had no major departures from Red Bull that I'm aware which is crazy considering they've had such a dominant car.

 

Otherwise, perhaps Pat Fry will return to the country of his birth after realising the grass isn't always greener on the otherside. I know traditionally McLaren isn't a place where people come back to, but Whitmarsh's management style may have changed this. Pat Fry can't be overly happy about James Allison joining?

 

The other big possibility I see could be Ross Brawn. It does seem like he was ousted and I think he could be a good fit at McLaren. Perhaps a long-term bet to take over from Martin? 

 

And still, Mercedes perhaps are a little top heavy with the joining of Lowe - which is an automatic demotion for the following listed: Bob Bell, Geoff Willis and Aldo Costa are possibilities.

 

But I could be totally wrong and others may have more info... do tell!

Edited by purpleturtle, 15 October 2013 - 21:26.

[Vesuvius]

Maybe Wihtmarsh meant Alonso as one of them? As the rumours are still going on there. From designers/engineers surely Fry and Costa are candidates, cant see Ross Brawn as one.

Edited by Vesuvius, 05 October 2013 - 13:06.

[JimmyTheFox]

Whitmarsh says "there are some" which implies more than one headline grabbing technical appointment?

[SealTheDiffuser]

I voted RB but maybe it is also James Key...

[Anonymous]

Whitmarsh says "there are some" which implies more than one headline grabbing technical appointment?

 

Yes.

[Raven8]

I voted RB but maybe it is also James Key...

Would Brawn play second fiddle behind Whitmarsh at McLaren? I can't see him in any other position than a team owner or team principal, if he really goes somwhere else

[Francesc]

Mike Coughlan.

[Raven8]

Rory Byrne

[Vesuvius]

Rory Byrne

Byrne is working for Ferrari, already confirmed. Of course in F1 things can change quickly.

Edited by Vesuvius, 05 October 2013 - 13:30.

[Vesuvius]

Mike Coughlan.

His comeback would be even bigger surprise than Alonsos or Kimi to Ferrari....nearly impossible.

[Raven8]

Byrne is working for Ferrari, already confirmed.

at F1 anything is possible

[Tron]

Newey. That's the only one that would be a headline alongside Brawn.

[Tron]

Bryne I doubt. He's a South African, some of the biggest patriots of their flags and successes.

He's loyal to Ferrari as was the other South African, Gordon Murray loyal to McLaren.

[MaxisOne]

After owning a team and running the team outright I can't see Ross going back to a technical position. I think it's team principal or bust and right now there is no vacancy.

In my opinion I think its a Red Bull tech person

[Atreiu]

Who is the team behind AUDI Le Mans effort?

[Tron]

After owning a team and running the team outright I can't see Ross going back to a technical position. I think it's team principal or bust and right now there is no vacancy.

 

He's more likely to get involved with Williams.

Edited by Tron, 05 October 2013 - 14:14.

[purpleturtle]

Byrne is working for Ferrari, already confirmed. Of course in F1 things can change quickly.

 

Agreed. Wiki - In interview to the German Auto Motor und Sport Rory Byrne said that he is “working full steam” on Ferrari’s 2014 F1 car, in a role which will see Byrne return to the role as chief designer." Plus he's 69 - hardly a long-term bet for McLaren, nor would I see Byrne wanting to move countries now.

[Timstr11]

Ross is going to retire I think. I don't see him starting a new adventure with another team.

 

Moreover, Ross Brawn is not what Mclaren needs.

They need a design and engineering focused lead role. Ross Brawn isn't that.

 

Someone else from Mercedes or someone from RedBull.

Bob Bell, Rob Marshall or Peter Prodromou.

I have a feeling it's Bob Bell as Paddy Lowe might take his role.

[David Lightman]

Let's hope the new signings turn the team around like Sam Michael did.




Oh.

[muramasa]

Tombazis

[Tron]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a person is presently employed by another F1 team, then that person will likely have to go on Garden-leave for 6 months before working for McLaren?

 

Another possibility is Dryer.

Edited by Tron, 05 October 2013 - 14:37.

[purpleturtle]

Tombazis

He's already been there, and only lasted a year, before returning back to Ferrari. Why would management trust him after that?

[Fastcake]

The number of notable engineers are rather small, so it shouldn't be too hard to narrow down the likely candidates.

[mlsnoopy]

gordon murray

[Baddoer]

Mike Coughlan

[purpleturtle]

gordon murray

Interesting... though it seems unlikely.

 

For one, it sounds like his own project is heating up: http://www.hindustan...e1-1128181.aspx

 

Secondly, when he upped and left McLaren he took 16 engineers from McLaren with him. I doubt Ron would ever forgive him for that. (Source: http://www.f1fanatic.../gordon-murray/)

 

If anything it would be in a consultancy role.

Edited by purpleturtle, 05 October 2013 - 15:18.

[OO7]

Another possibility is Dryer.

I don't think that's possible.  The track was bone dry today in Korea and forecasts predict some rain in the morning, with the circuit being dry for the race.

[Lemans]

Marshall and Prodromou would be great. It would also disturb RedBull.

[BiH]

what is considered "major" signing

 

 

can be only well known names in F1.

 

 

could it be someone from Ferrari or Red Bull.

 

what if its Newey?

[V3TT3L]

Geoff Willis or Gavin Fisher, IMO.

[Grundle]

Steve from Kwik-Fit

[Bloggsworth]

McLaren need to poach whomever is making the Sauber work...

[Atreiu]

No takers for the AUDI guys? Whoever they are, they know about turbo and hybrid engines, I guess. And if it does come down to that... Plus their aerodynamics isn't shabby. And it would be really surprising.

[HammyHamiltonFan]

Ross Brawn seems likely given the rumors about his future at Mercedes are still ongoing, for him it may well be a tempting move given they are another top team (or should be at least) and Honda coming in for them in 2015.

[Tron]

No takers for the AUDI guys? Whoever they are, they know about turbo and hybrid engines, I guess. And if it does come down to that... Plus their aerodynamics isn't shabby. And it would be really surprising.

 

While I fully agree with the AUDI potential, Whitmarsh said it will make headlines, hence why most aren't certain it's them.

[corskey]

Ron Dennis

[mjsv]

Well, Newey could make sense... I mean what better way would there be to really put his name into history books as (one of?) the best designer of F1 cars (in the broad sense of the word designer). Go back to your old team that's really struggling and help put them back to front row.

I wouldn't consider it as completely unimaginable that he might feel a need for some new challenge either.

Just my $.02

--
mjsv

[EvilPhil II]

The key ingredient to this is Honda.

 

In 2008 they had a stupidly enormous budget invested in 4 wind tunnel programmes and were throwing everything at signing Alonso as their lead driver. The following season that investment I believe was vindicated by the creation of the fastest car and both championships won. Id say that also vindicated Brawns approach of sacrificing a few seasons to build a platform for a superior car (similar to what hes about to do with Mercedes in 2014).

 

Honda and Japan love Jenson, so he will be staying put, at least for the next few seasons. 

• Alonso to replace Perez.
• Brawn to join Mclaren.
• Jörg Zander to follow suit along with Loïc Bigois and Nicholas Tombazis.

That is the news. 

[Owen]

No clue. If I had to guess; Fry.

[werks prototype]

Steve from Kwik-Fit

 

[muramasa]

Honda and Japan love Jenson, so he will be staying put, at least for the next few seasons. 

 

No. 

 

That's a myth. I have no idea what Honda management think about Jenson, but at least Japan dont love Jenson.

 

I mean, he's not hated nor unpopular, but he's not so widely popular or even well known at all. Among current driver, probably Kimi  is the most popular driver among Japanese F1 fans in general. Maybe Vettel overtook Kimi nowadays I feel, but anyway they are close.

Not really sure where he's positioned, well I feel Alonso is actually more popular coz of Japan's big Ferrari fan base.

 

Among recent F1 drivers however, MS is by far the most popular and well known driver here.

 

Jense is one of my favourite drivers btw tho, he's cool guy and I very much appreciate his attitude of putting message to cheer Japan after 311 earthquake on top of his helmet for the whole 2011 season.

[Borko]

There are just a few technical names that would really be a headline, Newey, Byrne, Allison, Brawn, Lowe, Prodromou and maybe Pat Fry but I don't see any of them joining McLaren next year.

Edited by BorkoF2012, 05 October 2013 - 17:23.

[John Player]

Adrian Newey

[FastnLoud]

Ross Brawn will move to Mclaren next year - word on the street

[eronrules]

Gary Anderson 

 

but seriously ... one of them might be Jarrod Murphy (plus some others from LotusF1)

 

Adrian newey ??? no, i don't believe he'll leave RBR, why should he???

 

Loic Bigois might be one of them as well.

 

but i'm still perplexed by the choice of words ...  ''Major Tech signing'' ... it can also be some technical partnership, not necessarily an individual.

[Cool Beans]

Adrian Newey is not at the track this weekend, the first time ever I can remember him not going. Could be a coincidence but could also be the start of his 6 month gardening leave. 

[Les]

I don't have a clue to be honest but I voted Aldo Costa for shits and giggles. 

[Les]

Adrian Newey is not at the track this weekend, the first time ever I can remember him not going. Could be a coincidence but could also be the start of his 6 month gardening leave. 

 

Yes. I'm sure it is. For sure. 

[SpaMaster]

McLaren should just stop hyping things up at this point of time. They seriously suck this year. Their last year performance was one of the shoddiest ever. They lost one of the top drivers mainly because of frustration. Just two years earlier (in 2009) they laid another egg in the pre-season. Granted they have often competed for championships in the past decade, but all they have to show for the past 14 years is 1 WDC and 0 WCC. This team needs to arrest some serious slide. Instead of hyping and sprouting non-sense, they should prove with some action. Frankly, technical head is not going to solve some deep underlying problems that have been running for one and half decade. The team fully needs to understand why it is not maximizing its full potential. They just don't get the maximum out of themselves - either it's the car, or track operations, or drivers, or management. I just find headlines like this frustrating considering what this team is supposed to be like.

[nosecone]

I wish it is Peter Prodromou*   Watch my sig

 

* Chief of Aerodynamics at Red Bull.

 

Because i think the Newey hype is nonsense