Emanuele Pirro, leader of the pilot development program of McLarenannounced his departure from the structure just before the start of the Japanese Grand Prix. The Italian, who joined the team just 1 year ago, carried out a major restructuring of the program at the beginning of the season and, above all, made several signings of young talents.
The former F1 driver and five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, mentioned that “after a year of hard work and satisfaction”, he is leaving the Woking team.
His announcement came just hours after David Sánchez’s departure became known, three months after his arrival. Despite the proximity in time between both events, it is said that they are not similar cases at all. According to RacingNews365McLaren decided not to extend the contract that linked them to Pirro.
The pilot development program McLaren was revised in early 2023 to better support those at the karting level and help facilitate a plausible promotion to the F1.
To accompany the McLaren IndyCar driver Duck O’Ward and F1 reserve Ryo Hirakawa, the team signed 2023 FIA F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante, American junior Ugo Ugochukwu and signed a one-year option on the Italian Formula talent 4 Brando Badoer.
Pirro, former McLaren F1 test driver, had been in charge of directing the program, after joining the structure in 2023, but now announced his departure through social networks.
Pirro joined on a one-year deal, which was not extended as McLaren will move the young driver program in-house to be under the leadership of newly appointed F1 business operations director Stephanie Carlin.
Carlin, who was the director of the Rodin Carlin F2 team and the F1 Academy, will be supported by McLaren engineers to lead the McLaren driver programme.
In an Instagram post, the Italian wrote: “After a year of hard work and satisfaction, I will be leaving the McLaren DDP.
Farewell
“Together with the Formula 1 team, I was able to put in place a structure to help develop young, talented and hard-working drivers into future McLaren champions.”
“I carried out this task to the best of my ability, selecting and signing young stars who I truly believe can etch their names in the history books.”
“I am confident that the internal resources that will lead the DDP will continue my journey and help the program grow, providing the type of unique support that developing drivers need along with the professionalism and experience of the great teams they all represent. .
“I have done my best to pass on the lessons learned and mistakes made over a lifetime in motorsports and now I step aside and let the program walk on its own legs, grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me.” given.
“I wish all the best to Gabriel, Ugo, Bianca, Pato, Ryo and Brando, along with the future pilots with whom a collaboration has already begun. With all of you and the competitors, the future of the sport that I have reached so far to love is in good hands. Now I am ready for new challenges…”.
On Tuesday, the team McLaren F1 It also announced another restructuring of its technical department, with the mutual departure of former Ferrari engineer David Sanchez after just three months due to a “mismatch”. Former Red Bull stalwart Rob Marshall is now the team’s chief designer.
Source: Ambito
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