MARTIN WHITMARSH
TEAM PRINCIPAL, FORMULA ONE, TEAM McLAREN MERCEDES

Martin Whitmarsh, born 29th April 1958, graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1980 and began his career at BAE SYSTEMS, working on finite element analysis. Martin rapidly progressed within the organisation and in 1988 he was promoted to Manufacturing Director. At the end of 1989, Martin left BAE SYSTEMS to join McLaren Racing as Head of Operations, a role created to utilise his management expertise to assist with the growth and diversification of the company. Martin was primarily responsible for both the race and test teams, in addition to overseeing the company’s engineering and manufacturing functions.

After two years at McLaren, Martin’s developing role saw him become Operations Director. In 1997, as the race team division and parent company, the McLaren Group continued to evolve; Martin was promoted to Managing Director, a role which encompassed managing the team of people and processes behind the Formula One operation and relationships with the company’s Technology Partners. In April 2004 Martin was appointed CEO, Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes.

In addition to his key task of ensuring that the Group’s core business of Formula One continues to operate with success and efficiency, Martin is also involved in the long-term development of the McLaren Group.

Ron Dennis stepped down from his Team Principal role at McLaren Mercedes in April 2009, which allowed Martin to be promoted to Team Principal.