McLaren says luring Red Bull aero chief Prodromou just the start

It emerged in Japan that Prodromou, who has worked alongside Adrian Newey at Red Bull since 2006, has agreed to join McLaren when his current contract runs out at the end of next year.

Speaking about the move, McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale suggested that further signings were on the cards.

"Yes we have recruited Peter," said Neale. "We are really excited about him joining the team. It is not a one-off thing that we are doing, in that we have made some moves during the course of this year.

"There are also some other things that we are doing to strengthen our team, so it is a series of moves as we head to 2015 with Honda to make sure that this team stays at the forefront of F1 and is set for winning ways.

"It is hard for the guys here this weekend to put the amount of effort in, with the result we have done, but we don't intend to hang around here very long."

DRIVERS BUOYED BY TECH RECRUITMENT PUSH

Jenson Button welcomed McLaren's efforts to bolster its organisation, which he felt was important after its disappointing 2013 Formula 1 form.

"It is great," he said. "Looking at this season it has not been a great year for us, it has been a pretty tough year for us all.

"You do have to remember that we have brought very good cars in the last few years.

"We have got many victories and have been close to winning many world championships, so the people working inside this team have been for many years still doing a mega job.

"But it is nice we are adding to their skills and experience of working up and down the pit lane.

"I think it is great that Jonathan, Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone else are looking outside the box, and it is going to help us more in the future."