McLaren Automotive has named Ian James, current NEOM McLaren Electric Racing director and Formula E team principal, as its new director of motorsport. James will now oversee McLaren’s customer GT racing programs while maintaining his responsibilities with McLaren’s electric motorsport endeavors, marking a significant expansion of his influence within the iconic brand.
A New Era for McLaren Automotive
James steps into the role as Mick McDonagh retires after over four years of spearheading McLaren’s motorsport division. Under McDonagh’s leadership, McLaren successfully expanded into the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and grew its McLaren Trophy championship. James will now take the reins, reporting directly to McLaren Automotive CEO Michael Leiters.
“In motorsport, we prove the performance and durability of our cars on the track and demonstrate to the world our racing pedigree,” Leiters said. “Ian’s experience and success in this arena will accelerate our achievements. I’d like to thank Mick for his dedication and leadership, which has been integral to our ongoing success.”
A Return to Familiar Ground
For James, this new role represents a return to his roots. Early in his career, he worked as a manufacturing engineer on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren road car project from 2001 to 2005. Since then, he has made a name for himself in electric motorsport, leading Mercedes to Formula E championship success before transitioning to McLaren’s Formula E team.
Now, as McLaren Automotive’s director of motorsport, James will oversee all customer GT racing programs, ensuring McLaren’s dominance on the track while bolstering its reputation in endurance racing and other high-performance series.
Reshaping the Motorsport Division
In addition to James’ appointment, McLaren Automotive has restructured its leadership to support its motorsport ambitions:
- Rob Bell, long-time McLaren factory driver, will take on the role of sporting director, managing racing activities and ensuring competitive success.
- Malcolm Gerrish, McLaren’s chief engineer, will assume the role of technical and operations director, focusing on engineering and logistical excellence.
Both Bell and Gerrish will report to James, creating a streamlined leadership structure aimed at enhancing collaboration across McLaren’s motorsport divisions.
Formula E and Beyond
Despite his expanded responsibilities, James will continue to lead McLaren Racing’s electric motorsport programs. The NEOM McLaren Formula E team enters its third season on December 7 in Sao Paulo, featuring a refreshed driver lineup with Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard, who replaces Jake Hughes.
A Vision for the Future
As McLaren Automotive continues to push boundaries on and off the track, James’ dual expertise in electric racing and customer GT programs positions him as the ideal leader to navigate the evolving landscape of motorsport. With a strengthened management team and a clear vision, McLaren aims to reinforce its legacy as a dominant force in both endurance and electric racing.
The motorsport world now eagerly awaits to see how this reshaped leadership drives McLaren’s pursuit of excellence in 2025 and beyond.
