<< Return to the news list

McLaren have a plan for James Key arrival

Published on 20 Aug 2018 11:15
8
By: Fergal Walsh

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says that the team has a plan when it comes to bringing in James Key. The Woking outfit previously announced that the current Toro Rosso technical director would be joining McLaren, despite Toro Rosso stating that Key is under contract until 2020.

Red Bull's Helmut Marko stated that McLaren jumped the gun when it came to publicly announcing Key, saying that he wouldn't be leaving Toro Rosso "for a very long time". But Brown is still confident that the move will go ahead.

"We have hired James Key and he will become our technical director," Brown said. "He does have a current agreement with Toro Rosso and of course we respect contractual situations. I think Toro Rosso and Red Bull are understandably upset that they're losing a great talent like James Key. We have a plan, we obviously knew his current employment situation and we're completely comfortable working around that situation."

Toro Rosso is believed to have approached McLaren to take Lando Norris on loan this year, a move which McLaren blocked. However, it is possible that that deal could happen for 2019 if it allowed Key to leave Toro Rosso and join McLaren.

"In the world of F1 there's always ways and opportunities to change situations," Brown said. "That's certainly something that we'd potentially consider."

He added: "We're not done yet, both in bringing in talent and with our final structure. We have a good sense of what we're going to do but that's not something that we want to make public, we just want to put our head down and get on with the job."

boudy

Posts: 1,168

This is an untenable situation created by McLaren, Looks like someone is going on gardening leave. They want to force early leave from Torro Rosso looks like this is going to be the reverse of that. They will now hold Key to his contract come what may. Would it have been better if McLaren played... [Read more]

1
Aug 20 2018 - 11:37

F1 News Lando Norris McLaren

Replies (8)

boudy

Posts: 1,168
This is an untenable situation created by McLaren, Looks like someone is going on gardening leave. They want to force early leave from Torro Rosso looks like this is going to be the reverse of that. They will now hold Key to his contract come what may. Would it have been better if McLaren played this in the shadows of the limelight instead of making this public and than stating "not something we want to make public".

What is an final structure ... i don't think that exists.
- + 1
- Aug 20 2018 - 11:37
kngrthr

Posts: 203
they could always lend red bull carlos saintz.....
- + 0
- Aug 20 2018 - 11:54
Danimal5981

Posts: 437
Toro Rosso shouldn't settle for a loan. Either a swap or no-go.
Play hardball.
- + 0
- Aug 20 2018 - 12:12
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Maybe, maybe not. I do however see their logic: Key is a... huhu... key figure in F1, a wellknown fella in F1, and having him on board is good PR. So I guess they aint all that willing to let him go.
  + 0
  
  Aug 20 2018 - 17:37
Bhurt

Posts: 320
Is this guy even real?

- "He does have a current agreement with Toro Rosso and of course we respect contractual situations."
- "We have hired James Key."

I wonder what his definition of "respecting contractual situations" is...

Then this imbecile goes on to state:

- "I think Toro Rosso and Red Bull are understandably upset that they're losing a great talent like James Key."

Now, I may be reaching here, but I think Toro Rosso and Red Bull are MORE upset that you just went out and signed someone who is already under contract with them.

I don't know. I just can't say enough bad things about this sleazebag.
- + 0
- Aug 20 2018 - 20:10
f1ski

Posts: 726
McLaren has a long history of trying to buy advancement rather than develop it. No surprise.
Marko should put Key on leave and sue the crap out of mclaren if they get any info from Key before then.
- + 0
- Aug 21 2018 - 01:26
Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172
Can't imagine STR or any company keeping someone on who really wants to leave. Can't wait to see some real racing news later this week.
- + 0
- Aug 21 2018 - 02:57
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I can, if said person is held as a sort of bargaining brick.
  + 0
  
  Aug 21 2018 - 17:17