April 2, 2024 09:00
Photo: XPB Images
McLaren announced the sudden departure of engineer David Sanchez after just three months with the team. The Frenchman arrived in January, from Ferrari, to join the reformulation of the team’s design team led by Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, with the aim of fighting for the Formula 1 title.
However, to the surprise of many, McLaren announced on Tuesday that Sanchez had left the team due to a ‘misalignment of his role’. Both Stella and Sanchez mentioned an error in the job definition.
Sanchez has been hired as ‘technical director of car concept and performance’, but Stella will take on this role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is hired. Rob Marshall is now chief designer, while Neil Houldey takes on technical engineering direction.
“Following detailed discussions between David Sanchez and the team leadership, the mutual decision was made for David to leave McLaren,” said Stella. “As we reflected together, it became clear that the role, responsibilities and ambitions associated with David’s position did not align with our initial expectations when he agreed to join us in February 2023.”
“Recognizing this misalignment, both David and I agreed that it would be best to part ways now to allow him to pursue other opportunities that better leverage his broad skill set,” concluded Stella.
McLaren scored their first podium of the season at the last Australian GP, with Lando Norris finishing third. However, the team has not won a race since September 2021.
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