P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pirro leaves role as McLaren F1 academy chief
The McLaren driver development programme underwent a major overhaul in 2023 to better support karting talents aiming for a path to F1. The team brought in 2023 FIA F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante, Ugo Ugochukwu, and secured an option on Italian Formula 4 talent Brando Badoer. Emanuele Pirro, the head of the programme, recently announced his departure. The programme will now be led by Stephanie Carlin, F1 business operations director, supported by McLaren senior engineers. In an Instagram post, Pirro expressed his gratitude and confidence in the future of the DDP, emphasizing the development of young drivers for McLaren’s success. Additionally, the McLaren F1 team revealed a technical department restructuring with Rob Marshall as the new chief designer after David Sanchez’s departure.
