F1 tech staff move to McLaren GT

The McLaren GT technical team has announced three high-profile appointments with F1 backgrounds as it continues to expand its operation.

Andrew Bailey moves to take up the role of operations director, Ian Morgan joins as chief engineer and Tim White takes up the position of engine operations manager, each leaving a role in the top flight of single-seater racing.

Bailey makes the move from the McLaren's F1 team, and brings a wealth of knowledge having held the role of head of vehicle design for the past four years. He joined the McLaren operation in 2008 and oversaw the latter half of the design development of the championship-winning MP4-23. During his time with the team, Bailey was responsible for vehicle design, systems engineering and control systems.

Morgan joins McLaren GT from Red Bull Racing, where he held the position of head of racing engineering. As part of Adrian Newey's engineering team, he supported the team to secure back-to-back drivers and constructors championships in 2010 and 2011. This new position is a return to McLaren for Morgan, having previously held the role of senior vehicle development engineer for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren project.

White, meanwhile, brings more than 25 years of experience in top level motorsport, having held senior positions in several leading motor sports and engineering companies including Ilmor Engineering, Mercedes Benz HPE and Red Bull Technologies. White joins McLaren from his most recent role of senior track support engineer for the Lotus IndyCar programme.

These appointments have been made as McLaren GT moves to a dedicated engineering facility close to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. The new premises will provide enhanced opportunities to share experience and knowledge, and further integrate McLaren GT into the McLaren Group.

"It is a really exciting time at McLaren GT, and I am really pleased to welcome three such high-profile additions as Andrew, Ian and Tim to the team," said managing director Andrew Kirkaldy, "Their track record in all aspects of top level motorsport speak for themselves, and this is a real coup for them to be joining us at the end of what has been a challenging, but extremely successful debut competitive season. I am confident that they will enhance our existing team as we work towards further GT success during the 2013 season."