McLaren and engineering director Pat Fry to part ways

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McLaren engineering directior Pat Fry, who contributed to the design of the team's 2019 MCL34, is set to leave the Woking-based outfit.

Fry - who had previously worked at McLaren from 1993 to 2010 before a four-year stint with Ferrari - returned to Woking last year following a shake-up of the team's technical department that had seen the departures of technical director Tim Goss and engineering director Matt Morris.

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However, Fry's employment was always expected to be on an interim basis during the period that preceded the arrival of McLaren's new technical director James Key, who was hired from Toro Rosso.

Regardless of whether the 55-year-old British engineer as received a firm offer from another team or not, Fry will likely undergo a six-month period of gardening leave.

One possible destination for Fry in the future could be Williams, as it's perhaps not a coincidence that his departure from McLaren comes just days after the Grove-based outfit announced the permanent leaving of former tech boss Paddy Lowe.

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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.