Rob Marshall – a student at Taunton between 1975 and 1986 – is to become McLaren’s Formula 1 Technical Director of Engineering and Design from next January.

He is currently Chief Engineering Officer at Red Bull Racing, where he has been for the last 17 years. Rob returns frequently to Taunton School – most recently in December when he offered expert advice and design ideas to students building a Greenpower racing car.

“Taunton gave me a lot of confidence and resilience which has helped me in my career,” said Rob. “What I most value, however, are my friends first and foremost, who I am still close to today.”

Of his new appointment, he added: “Red Bull has been brilliant and a really fun place to work but I just needed a new challenge. Every now and then you need to get out of your comfort zone.”

After studying in the senior school and sixth form, Rob gained a first in Engineering at Cardiff University. He went on to work for motor companies including Rolls Royce before making the leap into F1 at Benetton, Renault and Red Bull.

In a company statement, Andrea Stella, Team Principal at McLaren F1, said: “I am incredibly pleased that Rob will be joining McLaren. With over 25 years working in motorsport, Rob comes to us with a wealth of expertise and experience, elevated by his tenure and track record at Red Bull Racing. “Rob’s appointment is one of the fundamental steps and a natural fit to aid the team’s journey to get back to our winning ways.”