David Sanchez is a French Formula One engineer. He has been employed by the Renault, Ferrari, and McLaren Formula One teams. As of 2024, he serves as Executive Technical Director at Alpine.
David Sanchez | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Known for | Formula One engineer |
Career
editAfter graduating from the École nationale supérieure de mécanique et d'aérotechnique, Sanchez started his motorsport career working as an aerodynamicist for the Renault Formula One team as a junior aerodynamicist in 2005.[1] He moved to McLaren in 2007 initially as a senior aerodynamicist before progressing onto becoming an aerodynamics team leader being a part of the team that developed the innovative F-Duct seen in the McLaren MP4-25.[2]
Seeking a new challenge, Sanchez decided to join Ferrari in October 2012 as a Principle Aerodynamicist, later replacing the departing Dirk de Beer as chief aerodynamicist in 2016 before heading up the entire department in 2019.[3] In 2021, Sanchez was promoted again to chief engineer, vehicle concept, leading the design, and development of the 2022 Ferrari car.[4]
Sanchez left Ferrari in March 2023,[5] and entered a period of gardening leave, before returning to McLaren as technical director of car concept and performance, effective 2024, replacing James Key.[6] He left McLaren by mutual consent on 2 April 2024, as the role he had envisioned was "not aligned with the reality of the position".[7] On 2 May 2024, Alpine announced his appointment as Executive Technical Director.[8][9][10]
References
edit- ^ "Conférence Ferrari F1 contre le cancer 2016" (in French). ISAE-ENSMA officiel. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Freeman, Glenn (12 May 2021). "The Unknown Visionary Leading Ferrari Out Of F1 Turmoil". The Race. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ Lewin, Andrew (12 August 2016). "Ferrari appoints new chief aerodynamicist". F1i.com. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Ferrari complete technical reorganisation ahead of 2021 season". Formula1.com. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (23 March 2023). "Key out, Sanchez in as McLaren restructures F1 team". Autosport. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (23 March 2024). "Key out, Sanchez in as McLaren restructures F1 team". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "McLaren Formula 1 Team announces organisational updates". McLaren.com. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Sanchez joins Alpine as technical head after leaving McLaren". Reuters. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Alpine appoint David Sanchez as executive technical director". BBC Sport. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ Mee, Lydia (2 May 2024). "F1 News: Alpine Signs New Executive Technical Director After Shock McLaren Exit". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 10 September 2024.