By Huw Alban
August 17 2002

As predicted, Arrows Technical Director Mike Coughlan has signed with McLaren as Chief Designer. The announcement came yesterday from Hungary. On top of the current financial crisis at Arrows, this news cannot have come at a worse time, and will make for some bitter reading for the fans. Neil Oatley was also announced as Executive Director of Engineering, with overall responsibility for engineering standards, configuration control, quality, reliability and risk management.

“McLaren aims to have the best technical team available to compete at the highest levels, and I believe that the combination of Neil and Mike will prove extremely strong,” said Martin Whitmarsh, Managing Director of McLaren International. “Neil and Mike are looking forward to working together and hold each other in great mutual respect. Neil’s contribution to the company for the past 15 years has been exceptional and, as Mike’s personality and skills are complementary to those of Neil, I have no doubt that the results of their co-operation will be excellent. John, who will be working closely with Mike, will further strengthen our technical team.”

“Obviously I look forward to the challenges ahead,” commented Mike Coughlan. “Everyone that I have met at McLaren has a great determination and a strong will to win. There is no doubt that I will enjoy working with Neil and the rest of the technical team.”

Mike will take up his new position with McLaren on the 2nd September 2002.