Pitpass can reveal that McLaren has recruited two significant additions to its aerodynamic department.

Nicolas Hennel de Beaupreau will join the Woking outfit from Renault, while Simon Lacey has been recruited from Honda.

Hennel, who has spent time with Ferrari, working alongside Rory Byrne between 2000 and 2002, began his F1 career Benetton. He will assume the role of Principal Aerodynamicist (MP4-23).

Meanwhile, insiders claim that Lacey's loss at Honda will be significant, along with Mariano Alperin, he was the Japanese team's senior aerodynamicist. He joins McLaren as Chief Aerodynamicist.

Ron Dennis has made no secret of his determination to recruit proven talent, and there is no doubting the credentials of both Hennel and Lacey.

In recent weeks, McLaren, which has yet to reveal who will partner Fernando Alonso in 2007, has added two significant Spanish sponsors, as the Woking team seeks to reclaim its place at the front of the F1 grid, following a season in which it failed, for the first time since 1996, to win a round of the World Championship.