Tombazis leaves McLaren?

[Super Tourer]

Hot on the heels of Adrian Newey's departure, Nick Tombazis has also left the design team.

McLaren's Vehicle Project Director Nick Tombazis is reported to have left the team after only 18 months. Tombazis joined McLaren from Ferrari in April 2004 to work on car design but McLaren already head chief designer Mike Coughlan in place in addition to executive engineering director Neil Oatley. Soon after his arrival, the technical team was reshuffled with Paddy Lowe being put in charge of vehicle design, aerodynamics, simulation and race engineering, while Tombazis found himself in more of an administrative role.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns15994.html

[312T4]

interesting!

[Kicking-back]

"Reported to have left"

This is from a report in a German magazine.

If true, it's disappointing, but if Tombazis was in a "more administrative role" already it shouldn't have too much impact on the pace of the car.

There's no better manager in F1 than Ron Dennis, so I'd not be too concerned.

[Super Tourer]

I will put the topic as a question until we get confirmation.

[Gt_R]

If true...it'd be interesting and once again, it be noted that another high-quality member has decided to leave, this one after just 18 months.

Ironic considering that the new Pentagon is meant to improve motivation and work environment and make employees WANT to work... not leave.

But probably, i believe that like Newey, Tombazis leave because he felt he couldn't display his talent fully... with a number of quality personnel taking up many competing roles to the point of each position being to specific and narrow.

For example, an operation like RBR will be more streamlined in the management structure, and a person like Newey would find himself in a more involving and complete role than he could find at Mclaren.

Their departure won't hurt Mclaren probably, but it definitely won't help.

[Jordi]

Originally Posted by Gt_R

the new Pentagon

Paragon, Gt_R, Paragon. McLaren only design race cars, not world war and peace yet!

[Sodemo]

Hmm, in the 'Adrian Newey leaves McLaren' thread a poster commented that "at least McLaren still have Nick Tombazis", whoops!

Interesting.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Gt_R

Ironic considering that the new Pentagon is meant to improve motivation and work environment and make employees WANT to work... not leave.

Well, with regards to Adrian Newey, from what i've read, he's left for the challenge at RBR, not because of McLaren's HQ.

[Swiss]

I await with interest to see where he ends up if this story is confirmed ....

A poll as to which team ?

Evens on RBR ?

[Gt_R]

LoL Jordi, my bad.. typing without concentrating always result in silly errors. =) Blame it on over exposure to US policies.

Mclaren can brush it off for all they like, but surely it is disturbing that people of such quality decides to leave, one after another.

And remember that what Mclaren loses, will be another team's gain.

I won't mind if he rejoins Ferrari.

[Gt_R]

MrV, don't worry..i've read that bit. my comment is firmly tongue-in-cheek stuff.

[Dutton]

It would be utterly immense if he rejoined Ferrari.

[maltafan]

Originally Posted by Swiss

I await with interest to see where he ends up if this story is confirmed ....

A poll as to which team ?

Evens on RBR ?

RBR seem to be the team with the biggest finances, and with the biggest chance of signing him.

This will be a great loss for the Maccas, who lost Newey a couple of weeks ago. Thanks God the 2006 car is ready.

[Kicking-back]

And McLaren confirm tonight that Tombasis still works for them and is not leaving.

Tabloid speculation, this story, it seems.