F1: McLaren confident in performance boost from Prodromou's input

The McLaren Formula 1 team believes that new chief engineer Peter Prodromou will make a big impact, following his return to the squad on Monday.

Having signed for McLaren at the end of 2013, it was originally thought that he would not be allowed to join the team until January next year due to contractual ties. But a settlement deal between the team and Red Bull over aerodynamicist Dan Fallows fast-tracked his switch. With McLaren having implemented a major overhaul of its design structure this year, the team's bosses believe that the time is right for Prodromou to make a difference quickly.

"He joins us at an auspicious time; we've spent much of 2014 working to develop and organize our design department, and his arrival neatly coincides with the conclusion of that restructuring," racing director Eric Boullier explained. "Peter has proved beyond doubt that he's one of the most capable and intelligent engineers in Formula 1, and everyone at McLaren is looking forward to the contribution he'll make as we push ahead with our ambitious plans for the future."

McLaren F1 CEO Jonathan Neale added: "We're steadily putting everything in place to ensure that McLaren can once again return to its race- and world championship-winning ways.

"We're under no illusions that we're yet there, but Peter's appointment is a very significant one, and is also a very public reminder that we're adding strength in depth to our organization all the time."