McLaren Automotive CEO steps down

McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt has stepped down from his post after eight years at the helm.

Mr Flewitt took the helm of McLaren in 2013, as the world was still coming to terms with the MP4-12C supercar.

He’s overseen the launch of the first Sport Series cars, the 540C and 570S, along with the brand-defining P1 hypercar. Most recently he’s led the brand into its plug-in hybrid era with the Artura and its twin-turbocharged V6 powertrain.

His replacement won’t have a simple job, though, given the strength of McLaren’s rivals from Maranello and Sant’Agata.

“I feel incredibly proud to have led McLaren Automotive through most of its first, highly-successful decade and am privileged to have played a part in the incredible McLaren story,” Mr Flewitt said in a statement.

“This young company’s success is testament to the many passionate and talented people I have had the pleasure of working with and I look forward to seeing that success continue.”

McLaren hasn’t appointed a successor to Mr Flewitt. Michael Macht (McLaren Group non-executive director) and Paul Walsh (McLaren Group executive chairman) will share the interim CEO role until a full-time replacement is locked in.

The McLaren Group consists of three divisions: McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive and McLaren Applied.