Overview
- Courtenay confirmed the move on LinkedIn after an agreement cut short a contract that was expected to keep him out until mid-2026.
- He becomes Sporting Director at McLaren and reports to racing director Randeep Singh.
- Courtenay spent 22 years at Red Bull, including 15 as head of race strategy, earning a reputation as a leading tactical mind.
- His arrival comes ahead of the first 2026 pre-season test from 26–30 January in Barcelona, followed by two official Bahrain tests in February.
- Red Bull is expected to promote internally to cover the strategy role, with Hannah Schmitz widely tipped, during a broader period of senior departures.