McLaren's thoughts on the new car and 2009
By Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
January 17 2009
After the launch of the new McLaren MP4-24, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one teams key employees gave their thoughts on the 2009 car and the 2009 season, which they hope will bring McLaren the drivers and the constructors championships.
January 17 2009
After the launch of the new McLaren MP4-24, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one teams key employees gave their thoughts on the 2009 car and the 2009 season, which they hope will bring McLaren the drivers and the constructors championships.
OLA KALLENIUS - Managing director, Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines
Stints with both Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive provided the perfect preparation for Sweden’s Ola Källenius (39) to oversee Mercedes-Benz’s HighPerformanceEngines unit in Brixworth, Northampton. As well as continuing to develop Formula 1 V8 engines within an ever tightening efficiency formula, HPE has also finalised the development of MP4-24’s brand new kinetic energy recovery system (KERS).
“The preparations for the 2009 season are both exciting and challenging for Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines. Eight engines per driver are now available for 17 races. On the other hand with the introduction of KERS we will see a complete new technology enter Formula 1.”
JONATHAN NEALE - Managing Director, McLaren Racing
After spending 10 years working on the technical and operational side of aerospace firm BAE Systems, Jonathan Neale (46) joined McLaren Racing as operations director. In 2004, he became the company’s managing director – a key role in defining the team’s technical and operational strategy.
“The real challenge for any business is in using its resources and funding in the most efficient way. While we pride ourselves on our resourcefulness at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, the current economic climate has ensured that absolutely nothing must be taken for granted. We continue to refine many processes throughout the team to make sure we operate more efficiently than ever before.”
PADDY LOWE - Engineering Director, McLaren Racing
Paddy Lowe (46) joined McLaren from Williams in 1993 as the team’s head of research and development. Instrumental in introducing a number of key technical innovations to the cars, his remit consistently broadened and he was appointed engineering director in May 2005 – a role that gives him responsibility over all the engineering departments within McLaren Racing.
“This year’s changes to the bodywork rules are probably the biggest in Formula 1’s history; and such a comprehensive change is both daunting and thrilling in equal measure. While the new regulations mean it’s difficult to predict which teams will be out at the front, we feel confident that we’ve approached the task wisely and produced a car of which everybody here can feel very proud.”
PAT FRY - Chief Engineer MP4-24, McLaren Racing
Pat Fry (44) entered Formula 1 with Benetton in 1987 before joining McLaren in 1993 to head up the development of its active suspension system. He subsequently graduated to chief engineer status and now occupies a two-pronged role with Tim Goss, overseeing the specification, development and build of the cars in alternate years. Pat began the MP4-24 programme in September 2007.
“Development of MP4-24 has been long and exacting – but it has also been a fascinating journey. That we are still bringing so much performance to the car, and the fact that the car you see before you today will bear little resemblance to the one that races in Melbourne, is a testament to the whole team’s relentless quest for additional performance. We are only at the start of a very steep learning curve.”
DAVID WHELDON - Global Brand Director Vodafone Group
Beginning his marketing career at Saatchi & Saatchi in the 1980s, David moved on to become managing director of London’s Lowe Howard-Spink and vice-president and global head of advertising for the Coca-Cola brand. Returning to the agency world in 1996, he was appointed chief executive of Team Vodafone in 2003 and the telecommunications giant’s global brand director the following year.
“Every Vodafone employee has shared in the excitement around the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team’s performance during the 2008 season and in particular Lewis’s phenomenal drivers’ championship victory in Brazil last year. We wish the team all the best for 2009 and look forward to another thrilling season of Formula 1 racing.”
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