Renault recruits F1 technical head Pat Fry for 2020

Renault has hired Pat Fry to lead the team’s Formula 1 technical department from the 2020 season.

Fry left McLaren earlier this year after playing a key role in the team’s revival this season, with the Woking squad signing James Key from Toro Rosso to become its technical director.

Following the end of his contractual obligations at McLaren, Fry will return for a second spell at Enstone ahead of the 2020 season to work alongside technical director Nick Chester, executive director Marcin Budkowski.

“I am delighted to be able to work with Pat again,” Budkowski said of Fry’s arrival.

"His arrival is yet another step as we build and improve our team structure. Pat’s experience, talent and determination will be additional assets as we continue our progress.”

Fry enjoyed a spell at Renault during the start of his F1 career beginning in 1987, before leaving to join McLaren six years later.

Fry remained at McLaren for 17 years and helped the team design world-championship winning cars prior to a switch to Ferrari in 2010.

Having departed Ferrari in 2014, Fry worked as an engineering consultant with the former Manor F1 squad before returning to McLaren to lead its recovery bid in 2018.

The news comes a day after Renault confirmed it had hired Dirk de Beer to take over its aerodynamics department, reflecting the French manufacturer’s push to challenge F1’s top three teams in the coming years.

Renault looks set to miss out on fourth place in the constructors’ championship to McLaren this year, sitting 38 points behind its chief midfield rival with three races to go.