Bob Fernley named president of McLaren IndyCar

Mclaren racing announced this Thursday the appointment of Bob Fernley as head of its American program, which aims to enable Fernando Alonso to join Graham Hill in the list of holders of the Triple Crown (world championship F1, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Indy 500).

Fernley, who left Force India following the takeover of the Silverstone team by Lawrence's Racing Point consortium Stroll, knows the racing environment across the Atlantic well after several experiences in IndyCar. 

This close friend of Vijay Mallya will therefore be in charge of the independent team set up by McLaren to compete again in the Indianapolis 500. He will report directly to Zak Brow, director of McLaren Racing. 

« Returning to the Brickyard promises to be a moment rich in emotions, commented Fernley. I am very happy and proud to lead this project and this McLaren team. The Indy 500 is a hell of a challenge where we will have to face tough competition. We will have to approach the famous month of May with the best possible preparation and the work begins now.”

“Bob is a great racing professional for whom I have the greatest respect.t, Brown added. His experience and leadership qualities will be essential on this project. He is particularly gifted at setting up talented teams and extracting maximum performance from a determined budget. ». 

Fernley has indeed worked small miracles with Force India, 4th in the last two Constructors' Championships despite widely documented financial problems. Brown's last sentence also highlights the following reality: McLaren will not write a blank check for its return to Indy.