21/06/2010
NEWS STORY
Reports in the Italian media suggest that former McLaren chief engineer Pat Fry is heading to Ferrari.
News of the Englishman's decision to leave Woking broke in May, with team boss Martin Whitmarsh subsequently telling reporters in Monaco. "He's made a great contribution to the team over a number of years. I think it was probably good for him, the right decision for him to take a bit of a break, take a breather. I think he's worked very hard for the team for a number of years. Within our team, then, I think we've got quite a bit of a talent and depth, so in these situations it's a great opportunity for someone younger, maybe hungrier, to come along and replace all of us. We're all replaceable. I think the process will be the same but we've manned with fresh new engineers."
Having worked as an engineering apprentice - remember apprenticeships? - with Thorn EMI, Fry entered F1 in 1987 with Benetton, being involved in the Italian owned team's electronics department , in particular the development of its active suspension system. Following time in the team's R&D department, Fry subsequently joined the test team as engineer before graduating to the race team in 1992.
In 1993 he joined McLaren heading its active suspension department, subsequently spending time as head of the test and race teams before being put in charge of race development in 2002. Between 2005 and the time of his leaving, the Englishman was chief engineer in charge of the MP4-20, MP4-22, MP4-24 and began work on the MP4-26.
Now, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Fry is heading to Maranello, though it is unclear what his exact role might be. Contacted by Pitpass the Italian team refused to comment on the story.