The McLaren team has been in a good run of form in the 2019 Formula One season off late. However, their hopes of securing 4th place in the constructors’ championship has taken a hit. This is because, Pat Fry, the person in charge of designing the MCL34, is leaving the team with immediate effect.

Fry reunited with McLaren in September 2018,  in place of Matt Morris as engineering director of the team. However, he was aware that his stint was always going to be short as the Woking team are expecting an incoming James Key to succeed him.

McLaren announced Key’s recruitment back in 2018, though he was unable to join immediately. This was because, he was still under contract with Toro Rosso who were unwilling to part ways immediately star designer.

Finally, with the 2019 season underway, Key kicked off his McLaren stint in Bahrain. With his arrival, Pat Fry is now  set to return to semi-retirement. However, reports are linking him to either Renault or Williams, with a move to the latter making more sense as they recently said goodbye to Paddy Lowe.

Fry previously worked at McLaren from 1993 to 2010 before a four-year stint with Ferrari. The Englishman returned to to the British outfit in the wake of a massive shake-up of the team’s technical department. In light of that shuffle, technical director Tim Goss and engineering director Matt Morris both departed the team.

The British marquee has has an excellent run especially in the past few races with two 6th place finishes. However, Fry’s gardening leave would potentially stop him from joining another team before its 2020 car is designed and almost ready to hit the track. Since Fry’s expertise lies in the engineering and development department, many teams would view him as an asset. The good news for the opposing teams, he could be available before testing gets underway next year.