F1
Neil Oatley, ex-designer at McLaren (1986-2012): “For drivers, driving has become more of a science than an art”
© DR
In what circumstances did you begin your story at McLaren ?
Everything changed on the sidelines of the 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix. At the time, I was working for the team Haas Lola as technical director for over a year. Just before this race, John Barnard (renowned engineer and technical director at that time. Editor's note) had resigned from McLaren to go to Ferrari. Ron (Dennis, CEO of McLaren) was looking to reorganize his technical staff. He met me in the paddock in Budapest (Hungary). And it came to fruition a few months later. Funny thing, Gordon (Murray) joined the stable around the same time (as technical director. Editor’s note). I think we started working practically on the same day, at the end of 1986!
What was the atmosphere like in the factory at that time? Did the obligation to remain at the top of the hierarchy weigh on the morale of the troops?
In 1987, McLaren was dominated by Williams…The team was coming out of three dream years with the turbo engine Porsche-TAG (Niki Lauda titles in 1984, Alain Prost in 1985 and 86. Editor’s note). But it is above all the transition between the departure of John (Barnard) and my arrival which explains a slightly more discreet 1987 season (Prost 4th, McLaren 2nd
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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