McLaren hires VW Motorsport director Jost Capito

McLaren is pleased to announce two new appointments, each a key step towards achieving the Group’s aggressive growth ambitions.

JONATHAN NEALE, acting CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of McLaren Racing, has been appointed CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER of McLaren Technology Group, and JOST CAPITO, Volkswagen’s Director of Motorsport, has been appointed CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of McLaren Racing, supported by ERIC BOULLIER, who will work closely with both Jonathan and Jost and whose position as RACING DIRECTOR of McLaren Racing will remain unchanged. The timing of these moves will be actioned in 2016 in agreement with Jost’s current employer, and a further announcement will follow in due course.

Both Jonathan and Jost will report directly to RON DENNIS, whose position as EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of McLaren Technology Group will also remain unchanged.

RON DENNIS (EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, McLAREN TECHNOLOGY GROUP) said:

“Consistent with McLaren Technology Group’s strategy of driving continuous growth, Jonathan has been promoted to the position of COO. He has done an excellent job as acting CEO of McLaren Racing – and that experience, together with the expertise he has attained in non-motorsport industry positions previously, makes him ideally suited to such an important new role at McLaren Technology Group.

“I first approached Jost last summer. He is an extremely impressive, competitive and ambitious individual, who comes to us with a very wide range of automotive and motorsport experience, encompassing senior positions at BMW, Porsche, Ford, Sauber and, since 2012, Volkswagen, leading the latter company’s World Rally Championship team to consecutive world titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

“From a motorsport perspective he has experience in not only the World Rally Championship but also Sports Cars, Touring Cars, Motorcycle Racing and Formula 1, about which he is hugely knowledgeable and infectiously passionate.

“I am therefore delighted to welcome Jost to McLaren, and I am certain that he will work extremely well with Eric and all at McLaren Racing, building on the very good work they have already done to take the McLaren-Honda programme forward towards grand prix victories and world championship successes.”

JONATHAN NEALE (CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, McLAREN TECHNOLOGY GROUP) said:

“After 15 years in senior roles within McLaren Racing, most recently as COO and acting CEO, I am excited to be moving up to take on a wider remit, working directly with Ron to assist his leadership of McLaren Technology Group.

“I have enjoyed my time at McLaren Racing, and will of course remain closely involved in supporting Jost’s and Eric’s efforts to optimise the future success of the McLaren-Honda programme.

“But I am equally conscious of my new areas of responsibility and influence within McLaren Technology Group, and I am particularly keen to bring to bear my wider industry expertise and experience [principally with British Aerospace, now BAE Systems] to drive forward our strategy to grow each of our Group businesses.”