Seidl wants to lead McLaren back to the top of F1

Andreas Seidl has revealed why he took the role of McLaren team principal, returning to Formula 1 after a decade away.

The German was with BMW from 2000 to 2009, but left along with the team when they withdrew from F1 as a constructor. Thereafter, he worked in DTM and then the Porsche LMP1 squad, but returned to F1 in January with McLaren.

He says the passion to get McLaren among the elite teams in the sport again was the main motivation behind the move.

“When I decided to go to McLaren, Zak [Brown, the company’s F1 CEO] was the first one to contact me,” said Seidl.

“It was immediately attractive for me to become McLaren’s team principal.

“I then had another conversation with the owners of the team and realised that they were really determined to continue investing in the next few years and had a clear vision to return to the top.

McLaren reveal the only way they can compete with top threeRead more

“From that point, it was a relatively clear decision for me to accept the challenge.

“I want to lead this team back to the top, step by step.”

Seidl remains happy with the improvements that have been made since his arrival, compared to previous results, and is hoping his experience in other motorsport disciplines will benefit the team.

“McLaren has gone through a very difficult period in recent years, with really bad results,” he continued.

“With the experience I’ve gained in my career, I think I can contribute a lot to continue this positive trend that already started last year.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Have a break-in, have an F1 KitKat: Thieves steal 413,793 bars in 12-tonne chocolate crime

• Yesterday 22:45

When Max Verstappen said he 'might headbutt someone', and an English journalist took the bait

• Yesterday 22:20

F1 in new 2026 regulations storm: The ‘missing video’, the fan fury and the explanation

• Yesterday 21:21

Lewis Hamilton wary of Ferrari decline: 'We're going to fall behind'

• Yesterday 20:51

'It's not healthy': Max Verstappen is at breaking point over F1 future

• Yesterday 20:20

Honda announce fresh Aston Martin F1 plans after breakthrough Japanese Grand Prix

• Yesterday 19:54