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In a shocking upset, McLaren has ended its relationship with its IndyCar team principal Gavin Ward, a man whose impressive career includes working under the legendary Adrian Newey, engineering championship cars at Red Bull, and winning an IndyCar title with Team Penske on his first attempt. For a team celebrated for its bold moves, the move is headline-grabbing, leaving fans and pundits questioning the logic of parting ways with a proven winner after McLaren’s best season in years.
Why Ward, Why Now?
Ward’s departure, which McLaren insists was his decision, comes as the team goes through growing pains trying to establish itself as a regular contender in IndyCar. After transitioning from Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2020, McLaren has made significant investments to move up the ranks, expanding its workforce, upgrading its facilities and going from two to three cars full-time, with four entries at iconic events like Indy 500.
So why did Ward—credited with creating a healthier work culture and leading McLaren to its strongest season since joining IndyCar—found himself out of a job? According to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, the move was aimed at aligning the team’s leadership with its future ambitions.
“We grew significantly, and going forward, we felt a change was necessary,” Brown said. “It wasn’t a matter of personality conflicts or dissatisfaction with Gavin. It’s about giving others within the team the opportunity to step up and take us to the next level.”
While Brown showered Ward with praise during the announcement, the team boss was conspicuously absent from the accompanying media call, leaving his views on the move unclear.
A Team in Transition
Brown’s remarks indicate that McLaren is seeking to replicate its Formula 1 structure by employing a “senior management team” model instead of relying on a single team principal. IndyCar assistant team principal Tony Kanaan, general manager Brian Barnhart, and others will collectively guide the operation, with Brown stepping in as the decision maker for major decisions.
Kanaan, a racing icon in his own right, played down any ambition to take over as team principal permanently, saying: “I will do whatever the team needs me to do.”
McLaren’s leadership restructuring also coincides with a series of recruitments. Over the past two offseasons, the team has added more than 60 employees to its ranks—a number rivaling the total personnel of some entire IndyCar teams. The moves signal McLaren’s commitment to growth, but the departure of Ward, who played a key role in leading the team during this expansion, raises questions.
Ward’s Legacy and McLaren’s Gamble
Ward’s contributions to McLaren are undeniable. From his days at Red Bull, where he helped design the sport’s first seamless shift gearbox and collaborated with F1 stars like Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo, to his title-winning tenure at Penske, Ward has a proven track record of success. His tenure at McLaren saw the team contend strongly at the Indy 500 and deliver its most competitive season since its return to IndyCar.
However, critics argue that McLaren’s decision to part ways with Ward seems counterintuitive. As Brown himself acknowledged, Ward’s technical ingenuity and leadership helped elevate the team’s performance during a turbulent year marked by driver turnover and an unprecedented recruiting frenzy. Now, as McLaren prepares to move into a new headquarters and solidify its place among IndyCar’s elite, it must do so without the man who played a key role in its resurgence.
What’s next for Ward—and McLaren?
Ward’s departure opens the door to a host of speculation about his next move. With his expertise, he is likely to receive offers from the IndyCar and Formula 1 paddocks. However, a possible non-compete clause could delay his return to the track, a common stipulation for members of top team in motorsport.
Meanwhile, McLaren insists the decision to part ways with Ward is part of a wider plan to ensure long-term stability. Brown hinted that upcoming announcements could further reshape the team’s future, including potential expansions of McLaren’s participation in its IndyCar program.
For now, the move remains a bold gamble for a team striving to bridge the gap between ambition and achievement. Whether McLaren’s gamble pays off or flops spectacularly will be revealed in the seasons to come. As for Gavin Ward, one thing is certain: his story in motorsport is far from over.
How will the leadership changes at McLaren impact the team’s strategy and performance moving forward?
1. Can you tell us about Gavin Ward’s impressive career in the world of motorsport, and what he brought to the table at McLaren?
2. How has McLaren expanded its IndyCar program since joining the series in 2017, and what challenges has the team faced in establishing itself as a regular contender?
3. Can you comment on the decision to part ways with Gavin Ward, and how this will affect McLaren’s leadership structure moving forward?
4. What role did Gavin Ward play in shaping McLaren’s strongest season since joining IndyCar, and what challenges did he help the team overcome during his tenure?
5. Looking ahead, what are the next steps for McLaren in its pursuit of IndyCar success? Are there any specific areas of focus or investments that the team intends to make?
6. Do you have any concerns about maintaining this new “senior management team” model without Gavin Ward, given his impressive track record in the sport?
7. How do you think Gavin Ward’s departure will be received by both the McLaren organization and the wider IndyCar community?
8. With so many changes happening within McLaren’s IndyCar team, what message does this send to potential sponsors and drivers who may be considering joining the team?
9. As a racing icon yourself, Tony, what are your thoughts on the team’s decision to go with a collective leadership approach?
10. what advice would Gavin Ward give to his successor at McLaren, and what does he hope his legacy in the sport will be?
