After 26 long years, McLaren has finally claimed the Constructors’ Championship, a title they last won in 1998. This season, the strength of the Woking-based team was truly remarkable, with the MCL38 performing almost flawlessly in all circumstances and adapting quickly to any track layout. Much of the credit goes to the engineers and Team Principal Andrea Stella, who managed to turn the team around after a disastrous start to 2023 when McLaren was the slowest on the grid.
One standout figure who played a key role in securing the title is undoubtedly Rob Marshall, who joined McLaren as Technical Director after 17 years with Red Bull. While his reputation alone was enough to fuel hopes of a resurgence, his hands-on approach and willingness to get involved rather than merely observing impressed Andrea Stella and the engineering team even further. “Rob came with a wealth of experience, technical knowledge, and a reputation in this regard,” said Andrea Stella.
“I have to say that working with him, myself, the other technical directors, and the entire technical team… if anything, we’ve been even more impressed than we expected. His qualities, such as his understanding of car design—especially from a layout perspective—are crucial for 2025 and will be for 2026 as well. For example, I sit next to Rob, and while sitting there, I see him working on the screen. Moreover, he has fantastic human qualities. He’s a very positive person, and everyone enjoys working with him. He’s full of energy. You’ll see him in the garage, often lying under the car. Everyone appreciates his incredible knowledge and experience, but at the same time, his hands—and sometimes even his head—are dirty because he’s been working on the parts. This was something we lacked before, and we’re glad to have it now in our team.”
McLaren has divided its technical management structure into three parts, with Rob Marshall working alongside Peter Prodromou, who oversees aerodynamics, and Performance Chief Mark Temple. Neil Houldey has taken on the role of deputy to collaborate with Marshall. Neil Houldey explained how this technical structure has worked, also praising Andrea Stella: “Of course, Pete Prodromou was already here, and Rob Marshall joined from Red Bull. Mark Temple came in to work on vehicle performance, and both he and I have worked at McLaren for many years. We had already worked well with Pete, then Rob arrived, and he’s a very collaborative guy who just wants the best for the team and everyone. The way it has worked has been very positive, and I think it shows how we can work together, harmonizing different personalities and ideas.”
“I think the way we’ve divided the work—with Andrea leading and us coming together as a group—allows each of us to focus on our areas. It lets you dedicate even more attention to your specific responsibilities and ensure performance in your field. So now, if credit is due, I think it should go to Andrea for recognizing that this was the best way to structure McLaren’s technical team,” concluded Neil Houldey.
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