By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, July 22nd 2008, 18:00 GMT
McLaren have promoted long-time team manager Dave Ryan to the new role of sporting director.
Ryan joined McLaren as a mechanic in 1974 and, after spells as chief mechanic and factory manager, he took the role of team manager in 1990.
He retained that position until recently, when he was handed his new position to take on more responsibilities for McLaren.
The team's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: "Given his stature within the team, and the commitment he shows to his role, we thought the new title of sporting director best reflected the progressive evolution of Davey's responsibilities within McLaren.
"Dave has been hugely committed to this team, he joined McLaren in 1974 - and has played a central role in developing the race team into what it is today.
"We all appreciate Davey's contribution: he's loyal, forthright and fearlessly hard working. In fact, he's pivotal to the way we go racing each weekend and thoroughly deserves to take on this broader role.
"But while his duties expand, he still remains our conduit to the wider world of F1 and will continue to attend the regular team managers' meetings."
