McLaren Poached Rob Marshall for Formula 1 Success

As the Formula 1 world gears up for the revolutionary 2026 regulations — featuring lighter cars, active aerodynamics, sustainable fuels, and a dramatic shift in power unit philosophy — one team stands out as the early favorite to dominate the new era: McLaren. The Woking-based squad’s confidence isn’t just hype; it’s rooted in their recent dominance and a masterstroke personnel move that could prove decisive.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

In January 2024, McLaren successfully poached Rob Marshall from Red Bull Racing, where he spent 17 years as a cornerstone of their engineering success. Marshall, who joined Red Bull in 2006 as Chief Designer and later rose to Chief Engineering Officer, played a pivotal role in multiple championship-winning cars, contributing to four titles with Sebastian Vettel (2010-2013) and three with Max Verstappen. His expertise spans everything from innovative mechanical designs to integrating aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, and overall car layout — skills that have earned him widespread recognition as one of the best designers in Formula 1.

The move was hailed as a major coup from the start. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has repeatedly praised Marshall’s impact, noting that he “exceeded expectations” and brought “a wealth of experience [and] knowledge from a technical point of view.” Stella emphasized Marshall’s hands-on role in car layout work for both 2025 and 2026, saying it was “a good idea to get Rob” because the team previously lacked this kind of expertise. Marshall’s arrival helped transform McLaren from midfield contenders into back-to-back Constructors’ Champions, with his influence credited for rapid upgrades and a cohesive technical direction.

Community and expert sentiment echoes this view. Discussions among fans and analysts highlight Marshall as an “all-time great designer” comparable to legends like Adrian Newey or James Allison, having now won constructors’ titles with Benetton, Red Bull, and McLaren. One analysis notes his departure left a noticeable gap at Red Bull, with their post-Marshall upgrades revealing previous missteps, while McLaren’s progress accelerated dramatically — including the influential Miami update in 2024 often linked to his input.

With the 2026 rules resetting the field, Marshall’s proven track record in adapting to major regulation changes (from the 2010-2013 V8 era to hybrids and ground-effect cars) positions McLaren perfectly. The new regs demand excellence in efficient power deployment, chassis integration, and innovative design — areas where Marshall excels. His ability to bridge departments and drive “marginal gains” hidden in the car’s fundamentals could give McLaren an edge over rivals still rebuilding or transitioning power units.

McLaren’s optimism for 2026 extends beyond Marshall. The team has maintained strong continuity in development processes, boasting one of the most robust technical departments in the sport. As Stella stated in late 2025, the “working way, the standards, [and] the approach” established under the current regs will carry forward, making the squad “optimistic” despite the changes.

While power unit suppliers like Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda (with Aston Martin), and newcomers like Audi face uncertainties, McLaren’s chassis prowess — supercharged by Marshall’s Red Bull-honed genius — could make them the benchmark. They’ve already outperformed expectations with a Mercedes engine in recent years; imagine that same team mastering the new hybrid setup.

In a grid full of unknowns, McLaren’s poaching of Rob Marshall isn’t just a signing — it’s a statement. With his leadership as Chief Designer, the papaya cars are primed to remain the team to beat when the lights go out in Melbourne in March 2026. Talent behind the wheel matters, but in the new era, the talent designing the car might matter even more — and McLaren has one of the best.