McLaren top brass reshuffle leaves team with 'total clarity' - Brown

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown says his team's management foundation is now complete and offers "total clarity" in terms of the Woking-based outfit's leadership.

After last year's changes at McLaren which saw Andrea Stella promoted to the role of performance director and Gil de Ferran join the team as sporting director following the departure of manager Eric Boullier, James Key slotted into his position as technical director earlier this year.

But the arrival at the helm last month of Andreas Seidl, the man who spearheaded Porsche's LMP1 programme in the WEC, was the final piece of Brown's management under-structure.

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"I think we now have total clarity on the team and the leadership with Andreas," the McLaren executive told Motorsport.com.

"I’ve known Andreas for some time, he is a racer and he is technical, he is focused and he is dedicated.

"He is very clear in his direction and, as you know from where we have been, where maybe there have been too many chefs in the kitchen so to speak, now we have got one.

"So everything now I see, I like. We have a great working relationship. I am excited for the future."

Seidl's responsibilities and oversight over McLaren's new structure has now allowed Brown to take aa step back from the all-encompassing role he assumed until recently.

"What Andreas ends up doing with the racing team is up to Andreas, and he has my full support," says Brown.

"From my leadership standpoint I'm done, I've got what I want and am very pleased.

"I landed everyone I wanted to land, I don't feel like I got second-best in any of the areas."

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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.