McLaren reveal departure of KEY team member…More
McLaren reveal departure of KEY team member
McLaren have announced the departure of a key figure, Hiroshi Imai, ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The team recently celebrated its first constructors’ title since 1998, finishing 14 points ahead of Ferrari, with Red Bull a distant third.
This success was largely driven by the performances of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who amassed 666 points between them.
Despite this triumph, McLaren will move forward without Imai, their director of race engineering.
Imai, who joined McLaren in 2009 and rose to his current role in 2021, is leaving for new opportunities, reportedly in his native Japan, rather than joining a rival team.
Team principal Andrea Stella praised Imai’s contributions and character in a statement.
Stella described Imai as a cornerstone of the team’s success, admired for his calm demeanor, integrity, and organizational skills.
He noted that Imai was a trusted advisor and a source of wisdom for the team, embodying respect and professionalism even in the heat of competition.
Stella highlighted Imai’s ability to transform into a “Samurai” on race days, combining competitive toughness with grace and respect.
He expressed gratitude for Imai’s years of service and joy that Imai capped his McLaren career with a championship win.
Imai leaves McLaren with the team in a strong position as they aim to defend their title in 2025.
Stella emphasized that Imai will always remain part of the McLaren family and wished him the best for his future endeavors.
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