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McLaren GT reinforces technical team with new high-profile appoitment

As further strengthening of the McLaren GT technical team, and as part of the strategy to accommodate the expanding operations, the British race car manufacturer is announcing three high profile appointments. Andrew Bailey moves to the role of Operations Director, Ian Morgan joins as Chief Engineer and Tim White takes up the position of Engine Operations Manager.

Andrew Bailey makes the move from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team, and brings a wealth of knowledge having held the role of Head of Vehicle Design for the past four years. Bailey joined in 2008 and oversaw the latter half of the design development of the championship-winning MP4-23.  During his time with the team, Bailey was responsible for vehicle design, systems engineering and control systems. In his new role as Operations Director, Bailey will oversee the day-to-day operational aspects of McLaren GT.

Ian Morgan joins McLaren GT following his recent position at Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team as Head of Racing Engineering. As part of Adrian Newey's engineering team, he supported the team to secure back-to-back drivers and constructors championships in 2010 and 2011. This new position is a return to McLaren for Morgan, having previously held the role of Senior Vehicle Development Engineer for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren project.

Tim White brings more than 25 years of experience in top level motorsport, having held senior positions in several leading motor sports and engineering companies including Ilmor Engineering, Mercedes Benz HPE and Red Bull Technologies. White joins from his most recent role of Senior Track Support Engineer for the Lotus IndyCar programme.

These appointments have been made as McLaren GT moves to a dedicated engineering facility close to the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England. The new premises will provide enhanced opportunities to share experience and knowledge, and further integrate McLaren GT into the McLaren Group.

"It is a really exciting time at McLaren GT, and I am really pleased to welcome three such high-profile additions as Andrew, Ian and Tim to the team," said Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director, McLaren GT. "Their track record in all aspects of top level motorsport speak for themselves, and this is a real coup for them to be joining us at the end of what has been a challenging, but extremely successful debut competitive season. I am confident that they will enhance our existing team as we work towards further GT success during the 2013 season."

McLaren GT was launched in the early 2011 as a new brand within the McLaren Group and supplied 25 12C GT3s for the competitive 2012 season. In its competitive debut season, the 12C GT3 has recorded 19 victories across Europe in a variety of championships, including FIA GT1 World, Blancpain Endurance Series, Avon Tyres British GT and the 24 Hours of Barcelona.