Alunni Bravi to join McLaren executive team

Former Sauber managing director Alessandro Alunni Bravi is to join McLaren Racing’s executive team as he takes on the newly created role of chief business affairs officer. Alunni Bravi’s departure from Sauber — where he also served as team representative — was announced earlier this month, with the Italian saying at the time that he would be moving on to a new adventure. That next move has now been confirmed as to defending constructors’ champions McLaren, where Alunni Bravi will “provide executive leadership across a range of McLaren Racing business matters including legal, driver development, commercial, driver contract management and rights holders/governing body management.” The addition of Alunni Bravi from Feb. 1 will also see him take over leadership of McLaren’s driver development program from Stephanie Carlin, who has been given added responsibilities within the Formula 1 team, reporting into team principal Andrea Stella. “McLaren is a team I have been a huge fan of my whole life, and it therefore sparks special emotions personally to have the opportunity to now work with such an amazing group of people,” Alunni Bravi said. “I’m so grateful to be joining such a great organization with the values and culture that are so clear to see from the outside. “I want to reward the trust and confidence that Zak and the board have put in me by giving my full dedication and effort to help contribute to the continued success, as I believe teamwork is key to everything. I am so happy to be joining a team that I truly believe sets the benchmark in F1 both on and off the track, and I can’t wait to get started at the beginning of February.” McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown says Alunni Bravi will have a wide-ranging impact on not only the F1 team but also the other racing organizations within McLaren. “I’m delighted to have Alessandro joining us with his extensive expertise and motorsport background,” Brown said. “Alongside managing our legal and driver development functions, he will also provide invaluable support on all professional driver business management matters, racing governance activities across our various rights holders and governing body relationships and broad business support to all our racing series as needed. We look forward to welcoming him to the McLaren Racing family in February.”