McLaren: Seidl solely focused on F1 and moving team forward

Zak Brown says he will rely on new recruit Andreas Seidl to focus exclusively on F1 and carry McLaren forward in the future.

McLaren's chief executive will bring in Porsche's former LMP1 boss later this year, in May, because Brown identified the need for a single-minded, qualified leader to guide the Woking-based outfit.

"Andreas has an excellent history not only with Porsche but before that working with Sauber and Williams on the BMW side," Brown said.

"So he’s someone who’s been around racing a long time has a great pedigree. When we started going through our changes last year we recognised ultimately you need someone waking up every day solely focused on Formula 1.

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"My role is to look after McLaren Racing and our various racing activities of which Formula 1 is the most important, and then I brought on Gil [in the] middle of the year to assist me with those global efforts until we had identified – and ultimately they have yet to start – people like James Key and Andreas.

"We all had to jump in and kind of fill that gap until they arrive. So what I’m looking is for Andreas to lead the team."

McLaren initiated a complete revamp of its management structure last year, on the back of its disappointing performance in F1.

It's technical department will be led in the future by former Toro Rosso chief designer James Key, a man highly rated in F1.

"I think we have a great group. I think the team’s stronger than any one individual," added Brown.

"But he, James Key along with the existing organisation will take it forward, and Gil and I will obviously play our role in Formula 1 while also kind of fulfilling the ambition of our shareholders in the various activities."

Along those ambitions is the another trip to Indianapolis' Brickyard where a McLaren entry will attempt to win the Indy 500 with Fernando Alonso.

"Obviously we’re doing the Indy 500, we’re involved in cycling, as has been reported we’re looking at sports cars and so we needed to make sure before we take on any other activities that we have all of the right resources dedicated to Formula 1, because what we won’t do is have any distractions to our Formula 1 team."

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