McLaren Snags Red Bull’s Head of Strategy, Will Courtenay, as Sporting Director
McLaren Racing has made a major move by hiring Red Bull’s long-time Head of Race Strategy, Will Courtenay, as their new Sporting Director.
Courtenay’s move comes as McLaren leads Red Bull by 41 points in the constructors’ championship with six races remaining in the season. His expertise in race strategy will be crucial as McLaren continues its push for more victories and a potential championship run.
After 20 years with Red Bull, Courtenay will now report to McLaren’s Racing Director, Randeep Singh, and will focus on enhancing the team’s sporting operations.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, expressed excitement over the new hire: “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.”
While Red Bull has declined to comment on Courtenay’s departure, a source within the team acknowledged his contribution, stating, “We are sad to see Will go but wish him all the best in this step up.”
Courtenay’s departure follows string of departures from team Red Bull
Courtenay’s departure is part of a broader shift at Red Bull, where several senior members have recently left, including Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. However, Red Bull has confirmed that Courtenay’s contract runs until mid-2026, leaving the possibility of extended negotiations to allow him to start sooner at McLaren.
The addition of Courtenay is seen as a critical step in McLaren’s ongoing restructuring efforts. Over the past year, McLaren has made several key changes, including the return of Peter Prodromou and the hiring of Rob Marshall, both from Red Bull.
Under Stella’s leadership, McLaren has moved from the back of the grid to title contenders, with driver Lando Norris trailing only 52 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship.
