Former Red Bull head of strategy Will Courtenay has officially begun his new role as McLaren’s sporting director, marking a significant behind-the-scenes move as Formula 1 teams return to work following the winter break ahead of the transformative 2026 season.
Courtenay, who spent more than two decades at Red Bull Racing, formally joined McLaren on 2 January 2026, the team confirmed. His arrival comes earlier than initially expected after negotiations between McLaren and Red Bull resulted in a compromise over his contract release.
Early Release From Red Bull After Leadership Changes
Courtenay originally agreed to join McLaren in September 2024, but Red Bull had intended to retain him until his contract expired later in 2026. That stance softened following a major shake-up at Red Bull, including the sacking of team principal Christian Horner in July.
The change in leadership reopened discussions regarding Courtenay’s future, ultimately allowing him to exit Red Bull months earlier than planned and take up his new position at McLaren as Formula 1 prepares for sweeping regulation changes.
Courtenay Bids Farewell to Red Bull After 20 Years
Courtenay confirmed his move publicly on LinkedIn, reflecting on his long tenure at Red Bull and expressing optimism about his future at McLaren.
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone I worked with at Red Bull,” Courtenay wrote.
“I made so many great friends there and I hope I’ll still see many of you in the paddock. It was an incredible two and a bit decades.”
He added:
“Now I’m looking forward to settling into my new role and team, and hopefully making plenty more new friends, as I do my very best to help McLaren continue its recent success in the coming years.”
During his time at Red Bull, Courtenay played a central role in race strategy during one of the most dominant periods in Formula 1 history, contributing to multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
New Role at McLaren as Team Builds for 2026
At McLaren, Courtenay will report to racing director Randy Singh, strengthening the team’s senior management as it prepares for the radical 2026 Formula 1 regulations, which include major changes to both chassis design and power units.
McLaren have enjoyed a resurgence in recent seasons, returning to race-winning form and positioning themselves as a consistent front-running team. Courtenay’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to maintain that momentum and sharpen race-day execution.
Red Bull Set to Promote Hannah Schmitz
Red Bull are expected to respond internally by promoting principal strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz to lead their strategy department. Schmitz has worked closely with Courtenay for approximately 15 years and is widely respected within the paddock for her calm decision-making under pressure.
Her promotion would represent continuity for Red Bull as they adjust to leadership changes and prepare for the next era of Formula 1.
2026 Formula 1 Season Preparations Underway
The new F1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from 6–8 March 2026, but preparations will intensify much sooner.
Teams will take part in three pre-season tests as they debut cars built under the new technical regulations:
- Barcelona (private test): 26–30 January
- Bahrain Test 1: 11–13 February
- Bahrain Test 2: 18–20 February
Courtenay’s early arrival gives McLaren valuable time to integrate his expertise before cars hit the track.
A Significant Paddock Move Ahead of a New F1 Era
Courtenay’s switch from Red Bull to McLaren is one of the most notable off-track moves ahead of the 2026 season, underlining how teams are positioning themselves for a major competitive reset. With sweeping regulation changes coming and margins expected to be tight, experience in strategy and sporting operations could prove decisive.
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