Ex-Red Bull Strategist Courtenay Officially Joins McLaren as Sporting Director
Former Red Bull strategy chief Will Courtenay has officially joined McLaren as Sporting Director. The move brings a wealth of championship-winning experience to the reigning F1 champions as they prepare for the 2026 regulation overhaul.
Former Red Bull Head of Race Strategy Will Courtenay has officially joined McLaren as Sporting Director, concluding a high-profile transfer that brings over two decades of championship-winning expertise to the reigning Constructors' Champions. The move, delayed by contractual obligations, marks a significant shift in personnel between two top-tier teams as McLaren looks to solidify its position at the front of the grid.
Why it matters:
Courtenay was a key architect of Red Bull's dominant era, and his strategic mind was instrumental in multiple world championships. His arrival at McLaren provides the reigning champions with invaluable experience just as they aim to manage their success and navigate the upcoming 2026 regulation changes. For Red Bull, it's a significant loss of institutional knowledge, forcing them to promote from within and potentially creating a strategic vulnerability.
The details:
- New Role: Courtenay takes on the position of Sporting Director at McLaren, reporting directly to Racing Director Randeep Singh.
- Tenure at Red Bull: He spent 22 years with Red Bull Racing, with the last 15 serving as their Head of Race Strategy.
- Contractual Delay: The move, first announced in September 2024, was delayed until now as Red Bull enforced his contract through 2025 to maintain team stability.
- Succession at Red Bull: Red Bull is expected to promote Principal Strategy Engineer Hannah Schmitz to fill the void left by Courtenay's departure.
What's next:
Courtenay’s immediate focus will be on integrating into the McLaren team and applying his vast experience to their race operations and strategic planning. His expertise will be particularly crucial in developing the team's approach for the 2026 season, which features a major technical and regulatory overhaul. The move strengthens McLaren's bid for a sustained period of dominance, while Red Bull will be keen to prove their strategic depth remains intact despite the high-profile departure.