McLaren Poaches Red Bull Strategy Chief Will Courtenay Ahead of Schedule
Red Bull's long-time Head of Race Strategy, Will Courtenay, has officially joined McLaren as their new Sporting Director, months ahead of his scheduled 2026 start date in a significant move for both teams.
Will Courtenay, Red Bull's Head of Race Strategy for over 15 years, has officially started his new role as Sporting Director at McLaren. His arrival comes months ahead of the originally planned mid-2026 start date, signaling a significant agreement between the rival teams and a major boost to McLaren's leadership as they build on their recent resurgence.
Why it matters:
Courtenay's departure is a notable brain drain from Red Bull, which has seen several key figures leave recently. For McLaren, securing one of F1's most experienced strategists is a clear statement of intent. It strengthens their off-track capabilities at a crucial time, providing the strategic leadership needed to convert their competitive car pace into consistent championship challenges.
The details:
- A Red Bull stalwart: Courtenay was with the team since its inception in 2005, serving as Head of Race Strategy since 2010 and playing a key role in its dominant era.
- Expedited move: While his move to McLaren was announced back in September 2024, the early start indicates a buyout was negotiated to free him from his contract ahead of the 2026 season.
- New role: At McLaren, he takes on the newly created position of Sporting Director, where he will report to Racing Director Randeep Singh.
- Red Bull's acknowledgment: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko framed the move as a "natural progression" for successful personnel, admitting McLaren's offer was more attractive on an "economic level."
- Succession plan: Marko hinted that principal strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz is the natural successor to take over the lead strategist role at Red Bull.
- Part of a trend: Courtenay's exit follows other high-profile departures from Milton Keynes, including sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Audi and technical chief Adrian Newey to Aston Martin.
What's next:
Courtenay will immediately begin integrating into McLaren's leadership structure, tasked with helping the team maintain its upward trajectory. His vast experience will be invaluable as F1 heads into a massive regulatory overhaul in 2026. For Red Bull, the focus now shifts to ensuring a seamless strategic transition under Schmitz and demonstrating resilience amid a significant reshaping of their senior management.