McLaren open to bringing in Key earlier

  • Published on 07 Aug 2018 10:05
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says that he is open to opportunities that will allow its new technical director James Key to join the team as soon as possible. McLaren recently announced that Key would be joining the team from Toro Rosso, however, the Red Bull junior squad claim that Key is committed there for the long term.

But there is no doubt that Key's move to Woking is imminent, according to Brown: "We have hired James Key, he will become our technical director,” he said. "We do not yet have a start date. He does have a current agreement with Toro Rosso. Of course we respect contractual situations.

"I think Toro Rosso and Red Bull are understandably upset that they’re losing a great talent like James Key. I think he’s recognised as one of the best technical directors up and down pit lane. So we’re very excited to have him join us in due course."

Key joined Toro Rosso in 2012, replacing Giorgio Ascanelli as technical director. The 49-year-old has previously worked with Jordan, Midland F1, Spyker, Force India and Sauber. And now in joining McLaren, he is part of a restructuring programme to help fix the team's current issues.

"We have done some restructuring, we’re doing some hiring, we’re not done yet, so we’re just head down operating according to the internal plan that we have," said Brown. "We have some other things we’re doing in the technical department. So I think that will become clear later in the year, what ultimately we’re going to do as far as give birth to the MCL34."

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Not sure if he would be a fit in McLaren. Redbull will make it difficult for them to get him sooner and can you blame them.

    • + 0
    • Aug 7 2018 - 20:52
  • Norris in a Toro Rosso and all will be happy...

    • + 0
    • Aug 9 2018 - 13:19

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 22:33

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 22:33

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar