Ian James, current NEOM McLaren Electric Racing director and Formula E team principal, has been appointed as director of motorsport at McLaren Automotive, succeeding the retiring Mick McDonagh after his four-year tenure.

In this expanded role, James will oversee McLaren's customer GT racing programs while maintaining his current responsibilities with McLaren Racing's electric motorsport programs. He will report directly to Automotive CEO Michael Leiters.

The appointment marks a return to McLaren for James, who began his career as a manufacturing engineer on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren road car project from 2001 to 2005. This experience, combined with his success in Formula E, positions him well to enhance collaboration between McLaren's racing and automotive divisions.

McLaren has also announced two new management positions:

• Rob Bell, longtime factory driver, becomes sporting director
• Malcolm Gerrish, chief engineer, takes the role of technical and operations director

Both Bell and Gerrish will report to James in their new positions.

The NEOM McLaren Formula E team, under James' leadership, will commence its third season on December 7 in Sao Paulo, featuring drivers Sam Bird and new addition Taylor Barnard, who replaces Jake Hughes.

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