Red Bull angry with McLaren: 'Key will have to wait a long time'

M cLaren wants to restructure his racing team. Sports director Eric Boullier, Chassis boss Tim Goss and operations manager Matt Morris had to take their hats. Gil de Ferran, Simon Roberts and Andrea Stella were promoted. In Hungary, the racing team from Woking surprised with the announcement that Toro Rosso technical director James Key had been signed. The technical office in the McLaren Technology Center was still missing a leader.

Fernando Alonso praised the transfer: “We can use people with experience and fresh ideas in our team.” McLaren is under pressure from the Spaniard. You have to prove to Alonso that something is changing. Otherwise, the two-time ex-world champion in 2019 will take a break from Formula 1. To be prepared for this case, McLaren is also looking for drivers. In the struggle for Esteban Ocon they lost to Renault. Carlos Sainz is now on the wish list.

Silence broken

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Is there a swap: James Key for junior driver Lando Norris?

At Toro Rosso and Red Bull, people reacted surprised and angry about the personnel key. Motorsport Director Helmut Marko clarifies the situation: “We have a multi-year contract with James Key. Zak Brown asked us if we would release him from this contract sooner. We were still negotiating when we suddenly read in the press that McLaren signed James Key. ”

McLaren's premature announcement could cost the racing team dearly. 'Mr. Key will have to wait a long time before he can work for McLaren,' announced Marko as a consequence. It is assumed that the extended contract with Key at the beginning of 2017 will run at least until the end of 2019. Alonso's wish will come trueThe 46-year-old Englishman quickly started work at McLaren. “The earlier he comes, the more influence he would have on next year's car.”

Red Bull has had bad experiences with McLaren before. “It was the same with Lando Norris. We negotiate behind closed doors with McLaren and suddenly find out from the newspaper that they don't want to give it up. ”Anyone who knows Formula 1 could now imagine the following scenario. McLaren will only get a key early if they give Norris to Toro Rosso.