Stella pays tribute as “Samurai” engineer Imai leaves McLaren

Adam Cooper
13/12/2024

McLaren Formula 1 boss Andrea Stella has paid tribute to the “Samurai” qualities of longtime engineer Hiroshi Imai, who will leave the team in January after a stint of over 15 years.

Imai was one of several former Bridgestone “tyre whisperers” who were picked up by F1 teams to help give them extra expertise in that area.

He joined McLaren in May 2009, during the Japanese company’s penultimate season in the sport, and after it was clear that the future lay with Pirelli.

Initially a principal engineer, he became chief race engineer in 2017, and then director of race engineering in 2021. He maintained a focus on tyres, although he covered a much wider range of responsibilities.

Although not widely known outside the team he commanded huge respect in the Woking camp.

“Hiroshi has been at McLaren for a long time,” said Stella. He has been a fundamental contributor to what the team have achieved over the years.

“But for me in particular, since I joined McLaren in 2015 Hiroshi has always been one of my closest collaborators in various positions, like chief race engineer, director of race engineering, and then director of tyres and brakes, more recently. And at the same time, always a key role in our operations trackside.


“He has contributed with great knowledge and expertise on tyres, on brakes, on operational standards. A person of great integrity, a person of calmness. Everyone appreciates his calmness, his great organisation.

“But at the same time it’s always been a point of reference for everyone in the team who needed some advice, who needed to have a wise opinion, and they have always known that could find it in Hiroshi.”

Regarding Imai’s fighting qualities he said: There’s one aspect of Hiroshi we all love, is that when it was the time to go racing, the Samurai inside Hiroshi would come out, and he would become one of the tougher racers, but always incredibly respectful, and with great style.

“We are all very thankful and grateful to Hiroshi for what he has given to McLaren. He will always be part of the family, and I’m delighted that he has achieved the World Championship in his final year at McLaren, because he will always say that he has been World Champion for the rest of his of his life.

“We wish Hiroshi all the best, and I’m sure we will have more opportunities to see him around in the future.”

It’s understood that Imai will be returning to Japan to pursue a new role in motorsport rather than joining a rival F1 team.

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