McLaren has announced the extension of Peter Prodromou’s contract as technical director, aerodynamics.

Appointed to the role in early 2023 after a re-shuffle prompted by the departure of James Key as technical director, Prodromou was instrumental in guiding the team to its first constructors’ title since 1998 in the 2024 season. 

He originally started at the team in the early 1990s, working in the design office as Ayrton Senna won his third world title, eventually becoming chief aerodynamicist before leaving for Red Bull. 

He returned in 2014 as chief engineer after working under Adrian Newey during the Sebastian Vettel title-winning years, meaning he has won five drivers’ and six constructors’ titles during his long career.

McLaren, who have also signed drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as well as team boss Andrea Stella to long-term contracts, have not defended the constructors’ title since 1991 when Senna and Gerhard Berger successfully defended their ’90 crown. 

“I am delighted to continue my role as technical director, Aerodynamics at the McLaren F1 Team,” said Prodromou. 

“It is an honour to be part of such a collaborative team and contributing to this strong upwards trajectory. Following last season’s success, I look forward to contributing further to our shared ambition of securing more World Championships. 

 “I’m grateful to Zak and Andrea for their continued confidence in me as a technical director of aerodynamics and also to all my colleagues in the team who have provided the highest class of support to me at a personal and professional level.”

Stella also praised Prodromou for the culture he has helped to build at McLaren, following the team’s slump in the mid-to-late 2010s.

“The cultural, organisational and technical leadership Peter has brought has been invaluable, and he has been a key architect of the team’s performance turnaround, on and off the track,” said Stella.

 “The journey we have been on together as a team, we could not have done without Peter, and we look forward to continuing our quest of fighting for further world championships together.”