Veteran Ferrari engineer Jock Clear reportedly set to leave

Ferrari’s Formula 1 team could be bracing for a significant change in its technical lineup, as a report from Italy’s Corriere dello Sport suggests that veteran performance engineer Jock Clear is set to leave the Scuderia after spending over a decade with the Italian outfit.

The unconfirmed report indicates that Clear, a pivotal figure in Ferrari’s engineering and driver development programs, could depart by the end of the 2025 season, leaving a notable gap in the team’s structure as they battle for second place in the Constructors’ championship.

Clear, a 61-year-old British engineer, joined Ferrari in 2014, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a distinguished Formula 1 career.

Having previously worked with teams such as Benetton, Williams, Honda, Brawn GP, and Mercedes, Clear’s resume also includes serving as race engineer for Jacques Villeneuve during his 1997 championship-winning season with Williams.

He also worked closely with world champions Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, and Lewis Hamilton during their stints at Mercedes.

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At Ferrari, Clear has served as the chief performance engineer and driver coach to Charles Leclerc while overseeing the Ferrari Driver Academy, nurturing talents like Oliver Bearman and Dino Beganovic.

At this stage, Ferrari has not made any formal announcement, and the team’s future plans regarding Clear’s technical responsibilities remain unclear. Similarly, the next destination for Clear, should he leave Maranello, is still unknown.

Marc Gené Poised to Lead Driver Academy

Should Clear’s exit come to pass, the report indicates that Marc Gené, a long-time Ferrari ambassador, would assume leadership of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

The 51-year-old Spaniard has enjoyed a multifaceted history in motorsport and would bring a unique blend of valuable experience to the role.

Having competed in 36 F1 races for Minardi and Williams between 1999-2000 and 2003-04, Gené later served as a Ferrari test driver from 2005 to 2010.

His credentials also include a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009 with Peugeot, underscoring his racing pedigree.

Gené’s deep ties to Ferrari, combined with his technical expertise and public recognition, would make him a fitting successor to guide the team’s young driver program.

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