Red Bull aero chief Peter Prodromou set to join McLaren

Red Bull's aerodynamics chief Peter Prodromou is closing in on a deal to join McLaren, but his potential new bosses may have to wait until 2015 to get him

Just a week after McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh hinted at a major staff signing for his squad, a report that first emerged in respected German publication Auto Motor Und Sport suggested that Prodromou had been convinced by McLaren to return to the Woking outfit.

The news has not been confirmed by McLaren, and senior Red Bull sources insist that Prodromou remains under contract until the end of 2014 and will not be released early if he wants to leave.

However, it is understood that advanced negotiations with McLaren have taken place regarding his future and an agreement is in place.

Red Bull insists that Prodromou's future remains open and it will be happy to working with him if he does not complete the move.

A team spokesperson said: "Peter Prodromou has worked with Infiniti Red Bull Racing for a long time, he's a valuable member of the team and there's some considerable time remaining on his current contract with us.

"We would be very happy to continue working with him in the future, He's part of a very strong technical team, led by Adrian Newey."

MCLAREN EYEING TECHNICAL RESTRUCTURE

Prodromou knows McLaren well, having been its chief aerodynamicist until 2006 when he was lured to Red Bull by chief technical officer Adrian Newey.

He and Newey had worked together closely at McLaren, and the pair helped create a formidable partnership at Red Bull - with the team set for its fourth consecutive Formula 1 world championship title.

Whitmarsh had suggested that in the wake of a disappointing 2013 season the team was looking at how to boost its technical structure.

"We have been recruiting in the technical team, strengthening that quite a lot actually," he said in Korea. "There have been quite a few new starters this year.

"There are some yet unannounced that will be headline grabbing when they are announced, so there are things going on clearly.

"We have to look at ourselves as a team, from the top of the management all the way through to our technical team, to make sure we can return to winning ways as quickly as possible."

shares
comments

Japanese GP: Mark Webber fastest as Sebastian Vettel hits trouble

Japanese GP: Mark Webber beats Sebastian Vettel to pole

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Belgian GP
GP Racing

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Subscribe