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Will Courtenay Joins McLaren as Sporting Director After Early Red Bull Release

An early release ends a long contract standoff to place Red Bull’s veteran strategy chief in McLaren’s leadership.

Overview

  • Courtenay confirmed the move in a LinkedIn post, stating he has left Red Bull after 22 years to become McLaren’s sporting director.
  • The agreement brings forward a switch that reports suggested might otherwise have been delayed until mid-2026.
  • He will report to McLaren racing director Randeep Singh as the title‑defending team enters a new regulations cycle.
  • Courtenay spent the last 15 years as Red Bull’s head of race strategy, a tenure widely credited with shaping the team’s tactical edge.
  • Coverage frames the signing as a major gain for McLaren, while reports indicate Red Bull is likely to elevate Hannah Schmitz into Courtenay’s former responsibilities.