Button's trainer Mike Collier joins McLaren Applied Technologies

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Mike Collier, the mastermind behind Jenson Button fitness, has joined McLaren to establish the McLaren Human Performance Centre of Excellence.

A well-known figure in the F1 paddock, 'Mikey Muscles' oversaw Button's physical preparation for many years before working this year with rookie Stoffel Vandoorne.

Collier's appointment to McLaren Applied Technologies coincides with the company’s continued investment in driving the development of new products and solutions across health and wellness.

The fitness guru will lead the development of the Centre in his new role as Head of Human Performance, reporting to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Adam Hill, and working alongside Rodi Basso, Motorsport Director, as the company increases its capabilities across health, elite sport, wellness and motorsport.

Mick Collier transfers across the McLaren family bringing with him over 15 years of extensive industry experience working in human performance.

"I'm extremely proud to be joining McLaren Applied Technologies, a company driven to improve lives through rapid innovation," Collier said.

"Our experience combining cutting-edge technologies and data-analytics to elicit peak human performance is central to our mission to increase health and well-being the world over.

"I’m excited to work closely with the whole McLaren Applied Technologies team to support our vision for data-driven life-improving health solutions."

'Button doesn't need a track test,' says Boullier

Jenson Button was delighted to see his trainer assume his new role at Woking.

"I’ve been lucky enough to have personally benefitted from his expertise for almost a decade and, while we’re not together in Formula 1, it’s fitting that he’s now running the Human Performance Programme.

"The new Centre of Excellence will provide the perfect platform to enable Michael to further expand McLaren’s capabilities to develop, nurture and deliver game changing innovations across health, wellness and elite performance.

"I’m excited for this new era of talent development at McLaren."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.