Still linked with Ferrari as an ad-hoc consultant, mainly for road cars, but even in 2018, he still had involvement in the F1 side, becoming more involved with the design of the car after the departure in 2016 of James Allison. In 2020, he became even more involved, despite being over 75 years of age, as he was in charge of design of the 2022 car. However, he still has a home in Thailand, where he has a dive school and holiday complex. Byrne initially trained as an industrial chemist, working briefly in the field and then designed gliders and ran a speed equipment business before getting involved in the sport by designing a Formula Ford car, for Royale, enjoying great success with Geoff Lees winning all before him in 1975. Rory sold his business, before moving to England in 1973 with Roy Klomfass and going on via Formula Ford, and Formula 2 (with Toleman), to become a very successful and much respected designer of Formula 1 cars. Byrne also works as a consultant to South African insurers in creating a black box to record good driving.

Biography last updated 10 Aug 2021