Pedromou takes up new role at McLaren

(McLaren Mercedes)

Former Infiniti Red Bull Racing chief Aerodynamicist Peter Pedromou has officially started work at the McLaren F1 Team after being given the green light to join the Woking based outfit early. He had originally been due to start work with McLaren in January 2015, however in June both teams reached an agreement that allowed Pedromou to rejoin McLaren early having previously worked with the team from 1991 - 2006 before moving to Red Bull.

Pedromou joins McLaren as chief engineer and will play an instrumental role in the teams transition from Mercedes to a 'works' power unite partnership with the Honda Motor Company over the Winter. Speaking about his return to McLaren, Pedromou stated:

'It's fantastic to return to McLaren, and to see a mixture of faces old and new, Of course, I have first-hand experience of just what a passionate, focused and capable race team exists within these walls, and I've already seen the enthusiasm and positivity that exists to return McLaren to world championship-winning glory. I, too, am determined to work flat-out to do everything I can to help initiate a new chapter of success in McLaren's history.'

Pedromou arrived at Woking as the team are embroiled in an intense battle with the Sahara Force India Formula One Team and going into this weekend's night race in Singapore McLaren are in fifth place in the Constructors championship with a one point advantage over Force India with six race's left this season.

McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier commented on Pedromou's arrival at the team by saying:

'On behalf of everyone at McLaren, I’d like to welcome Peter to the team, He joins us at an auspicious time; we’ve spent much of 2014 working to develop and organise our design department, and his arrival neatly coincides with the conclusion of that restructuring.'

Boullier concluded by saying:

'Peter has proved beyond doubt that he’s one of the most capable and intelligent engineers in Formula 1, and everyone at McLaren is looking forward to the contribution he’ll make as we push ahead with our ambitious plans for the future.'

McLaren has undergone a major restructuring programme in recent months which it hopes will help to bring them back to the front of the Formula One grid. The Woking based outfit last won the driver's championship in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton while their last Constructors championship win came in 1998 with Mika Hakkinen.

Next season the team will switch to a supply of Honda power units and the Japanese manufacturer are confident that they can challenge Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari straight away next season.

© Ben Johnston 2014