Came into Formula 1 via McLaren in 1982 after gaining a doctorate in aeronautical engineering, but was most successful as the long-time technical director of Renault. Was also team principal for a short time in 2009, but left Renault in 2010 for a new challenge, which ended up being technical director of Mercedes F1 from 2011 until 2014. In 2015, he moved to Manor F1, to become their chief technical consultant. In 2016, he returned to his somewhat spiritual home at Enstone to take up a technical directorship again with Renault. In 2018, he left his technical director role to become an advisor on a part-time basis, partly due to him turning sixty, partly due to him looking at other roles, but also partly due to a shake-up within the firm. He now runs Grid4Good which is a charity that runs projects and combines them with potential free or low-cost solution providers from the world of motorsport, for example helping charities with PR and marketing or re-engineering electric wheelchairs. They especially helped with technology towards ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, he moved to Aston Martin in an executive director role, overseeing engineering and performance.

Biography last updated 9 Mar 2024