This move marks a seismic shift. Courtenay is a Red Bull veteran, having started when they raced under the Jaguar banner, and now, after two decades, he’s ready to take the reins at McLaren. His transition is part of a broader leadership revamp at McLaren, with Courtenay reporting directly to Racing Director Randeep Singh.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Will to the McLaren family,” said Team Principal Andrea Stella. “With his wealth of experience, laser-focused professionalism, and a true passion for motorsport, he’s the perfect fit to lead our F1 sporting direction.”

McLaren’s ambitious strategy to get back into regular podium contention has entered a critical phase, and Stella clearly sees Courtenay as a crucial piece in that puzzle. “We’re confident that his leadership will play a pivotal role in pushing us to challenge for wins and championship titles,” he added

Here’s the kicker, though McLaren will need to be patient. Courtenay will remain at Red Bull for nearly two more years, with his contract keeping him there until mid-2026. Red Bull acknowledged the impending departure with mixed emotions, stating, “Will has been offered the role of Sporting Director. After an incredible stint with us, stretching all the way back to the Jaguar days, we’re sad to see him go, but we wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter.”

Courtenay isn’t the only big name to leave Red Bull recently. Design genius Adrian Newey is poised to take up a role as Managing Technical Partner at Aston Martin, while current Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley is making a high-profile jump to become Team Principal at Audi next season. 

To manage the shake-up, Red Bull’s already pivoted. Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, has stepped into the Head of Racing role, a testament to Red Bull’s nimble, adaptive strategy.

Meanwhile, Courtenay will soon join forces with a familiar face at McLaren – former Red Bull colleague Rob Marshall, who’s already settled into his role as McLaren’s Chief Designer. Together, they might just be the dynamic duo McLaren needs to truly reignite their championship hopes.