Mclaren sign RB Chief aerodynamicist for 2015

McLaren says capturing Red Bull's chief aerodynamicist Peter Prodromou is not just a one-off star signing, and is instead part of a wider technical step up.

It emerged in Japan that Prodromou, who has worked alongside Adrian Newey at Red Bull since 2006, has agreed to join McLaren when his current contract runs out at the end of next year.

Speaking about the move, McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale suggested that further signings were on the cards.

"Yes we have recruited Peter," said Neale. "We are really excited about him joining the team. It is not a one-off thing that we are doing, in that we have made some moves during the course of this year.

"There are also some other things that we are doing to strengthen our team, so it is a series of moves as we head to 2015 with Honda to make sure that this team stays at the forefront of F1 and is set for winning ways.

"It is hard for the guys here this weekend to put the amount of effort in, with the result we have done, but we don't intend to hang around here very long."

Jenson Button welcomed McLaren's efforts to bolster its organisation, which he felt was important after its disappointing 2013 Formula 1 form.

Jenson Button
"It is great," he said. "Looking at this season it has not been a great year for us, it has been a pretty tough year for us all.

"You do have to remember that we have brought very good cars in the last few years.

"We have got many victories and have been close to winning many world championships, so the people working inside this team have been for many years still doing a mega job.

"But it is nice we are adding to their skills and experience of working up and down the pit lane.

"I think it is great that Jonathan, Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone else are looking outside the box, and it is going to help us more in the future.

Positive steps for the team along with the new Honda engine deal. I'm sure he has learnt an incredible amount under Newey & many of his design secrets, however his full impact won't be evident until 2015/16.

Good news...hopefully.

Had to laugh when they asked Christian Horner if that meant Newey was going to be leaving, during the BBC quali show this morning.

He'll be pretty idle through 2014 I guess, RB will keep him in the dark from here.

Mclaren have been rather snide about it by announcing it, Trying to get it done earlier then 2015 id expect forcing RB to put him on "gardening leave" or letting him go early

They won't let him go early, time is needed for his knowledge of RB to become obsolete.

I love that term, "gardening leave". I wonder where it came from?

Rumours surfacing that McLaren have their eye on Magnussen & Alonso for 2015. Also interesting is the Maldonado to Lotus news because they need the money, it would also see Massa/Smedley going to Williams. Hulkenberg......????

John wrote: Hulkenberg......????

Force India

McLaren is disputing Red Bull's appointment on Wednesday of a new aerodynamics boss.
Late last year, we reported that as well as Red Bull's aerodynamics chief Peter Prodromou, McLaren has also signed his 'deputy' Dan Fallows.
But Red Bull on Wednesday said Fallows has in fact become the reigning world champions' new 'head of aerodynamics'.
"Previously working as a (aerodynamics) team leader, he left the team for a short time last year," Red Bull said in a statement.
"He has now returned ... to begin working in his new role," the team added.
McLaren, however, is disputing Fallows' re-appointment at McLaren, insisting he has a "legally binding contract".
It is believed Red Bull convinced Fallows to stay by offering him the departing Prodromou's job and salary.
"The matter is now in the hands of our lawyers," team boss Eric Boullier said in a teleconference on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, ahead of his new McLaren role, Red Bull said Prodromou has now left the team to start "a period of gardening leave".

If he has agreed a contract then RB don't have a leg to stand on

I suspect if Prodromou is released early & some cash head to Mclaren it'll never make a courtroom.

Agreed