Team principal Andrea Stella is remaining with McLaren after signing a multi-year contract extension, the Formula One team said Thursday.

Contract terms were not announced.

Stella, 53, joined McLaren in 2015 and worked his way up to team principal, promoted to the role in 2022. Since then, McLaren drivers have two grand prix wins and 18 podiums to go with a sprint victory.

“It’s a privilege to be part of the McLaren Formula 1 team, and I am honored to continue in my role as team principal,” Stella said. “We’ve made great strides forward in the past year and a half and we still have a lot more work to do to consistently fight at the front of the grid, which poses an exciting challenge.”

This season, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have 10 straight podium finishes, including a one-two result at the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 21.

As a result, McLaren is challenging Red Bull for the world championship, trailing by just 42 points.

Both drivers have signed contract extensions.

“His impact on McLaren F1 in his role as team principal has been profound, not only through our results on track and the trajectory of the team but also in his development of our culture and mindset,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said.

“With multi-year extensions already agreed with Lando, Oscar, and now Andrea, we can confidently continue on our quest to become world champions. We’re all looking forward to the years to come under Andrea’s leadership.”

F1 racing resumes Aug. 25 with the Dutch Grand Prix.

Source: www.espn.com