McLaren Racing has appointed Alessandro Alunni Bravi as Chief Business Affairs Officer, effective 1 February 2025. The announcement comes just one week after Sauber confirmed Alunni Bravi’s departure.
In this new role, he will report directly to CEO Zak Brown and sit as part of the McLaren Racing Executive Team. As Chief Business Affairs Officer, a newly-created position, Alunni Bravo will provide “executive leadership across a range of McLaren Racing business matters including legal, driver development, commercial, driver contract management and rights holders/governing body management.”
The former Sauber F1 chief will also take over the leadership of the McLaren Driver Development Program, succeeding Stephanie Carlin.
Alunni Bravi brings a wealth of experience to McLaren
Alunni Bravi brings more than 20 years of experience in motorsport and leadership to McLaren. He most served as Managing Director of the Sauber Group and Team Representative for the Stake F1 Team, having joined the Hinwil-based operation in 2017.
However, Alunni Bravi’s experience extends beyond F1. He acted as Managing Director and Team Manager of Formula 3000 International’s Coloni Motorsport between 2002 and 2003 before taking up the position of General Manager of WRC Rally Italia Sardinia. He later acted as Team Principal and Managing Director of Trident Racing between 2005 and 2008.
Alunni Bravi, who graduated as a lawyer, has also served as General Counsel for several teams, including ART Grand Prix and Spark Racing Technology, among others. In 2016, he founded his own management company, Trusted Talent Management, which has gone on to represent several motorsport athletes including Stoffel Vandoorne and Robert Kubica.
Brown “delighted” to have Alunni Bravi at McLaren
Via press release, McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed delight over Alunni Bravi’s agreement to join the team.
“I’m delighted to have Alessandro joining us with his extensive expertise and motorsport background.”
He stated that he expected Alunni Bravi to provide “invaluable support” to the Woking-based team’s operations, and added that the McLaren Racing family was “looking forward” to welcoming the motorsport veteran.
“Alongside managing our legal and driver development functions, he will also provide invaluable support on all professional driver business management matters, racing governance activities across our various rights holders and governing body relationships and broad business support to all our racing series as needed.”
“We look forward to welcoming him to the McLaren Racing family in February.”
Alunni Bravi “can’t wait to get started” at McLaren
Alunni Bravi, who described himself as a lifelong fan of McLaren, was similarly enthusiastic about his move to the Woking-based team. He stated that he was grateful for the opportunity to work with “such an amazing group of people” at an organisation with values and a culture that he appreciated.
“McLaren is a team I have been a huge fan of my whole life, and it therefore sparks special emotions personally to have the opportunity to now work with such an amazing group of people. I’m so grateful to be joining such a great organisation with the values and culture that are so clear to see from the outside.”
He said that he aimed to give his “full dedication and effort” to contribute to the team’s continued success and was eager to start his new role at a team which “sets the benchmark” in F1.
“I want to reward the trust and confidence that Zak and the Board have put in me by giving my full dedication and effort to help contribute to the continued success, as I believe teamwork is key to everything.”
“I am so happy to be joining a team that I truly believe sets the benchmark in Formula 1 both on and off the track, and I can’t wait to get started at the beginning of February.”
Chief Communications Officer Steve Atkins to step down
McLaren also announced that its Chief Communications Officer, Steve Atkins would be leaving the team at the end of February for personal reasons. Via press release, Atkins explained that after “two hugely rewarding years” with the team, he had decided to prioritise his family.
“After two hugely rewarding years with the team, I’m stepping down from my role as Chief Communications Officer at the end of February for personal reasons.”
“The role involved significant international travel throughout the year which has been both enriching and challenging, but I feel it’s the right time for me to focus on family priorities while seeking out a new professional challenge that keeps me closer to them.”
“I wish everyone in the McLaren family the best for the season ahead and look forward to watching the team go onto greater success.”
