McLaren disputes appointment of Red Bull chief

McLaren is disputing Red Bull’s appointment on Wednesday of a new aerodynamics boss.

Late last year, we reported that as well as Red Bull’s aerodynamics chief Peter Prodromou, McLaren has also signed his ’deputy’ Dan Fallows.

But Red Bull on Wednesday said Fallows has in fact become the reigning world champions’ new ’head of aerodynamics’.

"Previously working as a (aerodynamics) team leader, he left the team for a short time last year," Red Bull said in a statement.

"He has now returned ... to begin working in his new role," the team added.

McLaren, however, is disputing Fallows’ re-appointment at McLaren, insisting he has a "legally binding contract".

It is believed Red Bull convinced Fallows to stay by offering him the departing Prodromou’s job and salary.

"The matter is now in the hands of our lawyers," team boss Eric Boullier said in a teleconference on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, ahead of his new McLaren role, Red Bull said Prodromou has now left the team to start "a period of gardening leave".