Tim Bampton named as McLaren's Communications Director

Tim Bampton has been appointed as the Communications Director for McLaren Racing and McLaren Applied Technologies where he will lead the strategic, corporate and brand communications of the McLaren Technology Group. In this role, Bampton will report to John Allert - the group's  Chief Marketing Officer to oversee the group's media operations. 

Bampton has over 25 years of experience in motorsport communications and sponsorship, becoming involved in Formula 1 with Williams in the mid 1990s where he worked in its media and marketing team. A stint managing Honda F1's communications followed this prior to his consultation of the Interpublic Group on its motorsport assets. 

Bampton also co-founded a sponsorship and communications agency where he worked with British American Tobacco during its title sponsorship with BAR Honda which was followed by Diageo and Johnnie Walker. Bampton joins McLaren from CSM Sport & Entertainment where he acted as Chief Marketing Officer. 

"Tim is a strong addition to our team," said Allert, Bampton's co-worker. "His valuable experience, skills and insight have been gained from a combination of rightsholder, sponsor and agency perspectives, which give him a rare and rounded ability to shape our strategic communications in support of our business objectives."

Bampton expressed how excited he was to join the Woking-based team: "The opportunity to represent McLaren, its people and partners is one of the most appealing in global sport. The enduring power of the McLaren brand, the values it embodies and its heritage provide an authentic platform for the group’s rich, evolving story to be shared.

"Equally it’ll be great to be back at the sharp end of the sport and I’m looking forward to strengthening existing relationships, reviving old ones and forging many new," he added. "Formula 1’s trajectory holds promise for all the sport’s stakeholders, not least its fans, and it will be rewarding to rejoin the sport at this time."

McLaren's Executive Director Zak Brown also commented on Bampton joining the team: "I know from having worked with Tim that he is a relationship man, proven leader and strong communicator, and I’m looking forward to him joining McLaren. He provides further strength to John's already impressive marketing team - a resource unrivalled in Formula 1"

Bampton will join McLaren on August 21st and will attend the Belgian Grand Prix with the team.

Chris Soulsby