Di Montezemolo appointed a director of McLaren Group Holdings

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Former Ferrari chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, who played a pivotal role in the Scuderia’s dominance in Formula 1 in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has been appointed to the board of directors of McLaren Group Holdings Limited.

The appointment was formalized in a filing with the UK Companies House on Friday, making the Italian executive the ninth member of the board.

Di Montezemolo, who led Ferrari until 2014, brings decades of automotive and motorsport expertise to McLaren Group Holdings Limited, the entity overseeing McLaren Automotive and holding a minority stake in McLaren Racing which oversees the manufacturer’s racing operations.

His appointment follows a significant restructuring of the company, prompted by the acquisition of McLaren Automotive last April by Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings.

Strategic Shift Under New Ownership

CYVN Holdings has outlined ambitious plans to further elevate the brand into the high-performance and luxury automotive sectors. The investment firm aims to position McLaren as a global leader in British automotive excellence.

Recent leadership changes reflect this vision, with Nick Collins appointed as McLaren Automotive’s CEO in May, joining Di Montezemolo on the board. Additionally, McLaren Group chairman Paul Walsh was named to the board earlier this week.

Read also:

Montezemolo slams Ferrari: A team ‘without a soul’ in 2025

While McLaren Group Holdings Limited focuses on the road car business, McLaren Racing and its parent company, McLaren Group, remain primarily owned by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat.

The addition of a motorsport legend like Di Montezemolo to McLaren’s board underscores the company’s intent to leverage its racing pedigree while expanding its footprint in the competitive luxury automotive market.

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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.