McLaren’s departed Fry heading to Ferrari

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Ferrari on Tuesday confirmed reports that Pat Fry is joining the famous Italian team. It emerged at the weekend that the 46-year-old Briton, who until recently was heading McLaren's 2011 car project as long-time joint chief engineer, was linked with a move to the Maranello based squad.

Italian reports had said Fry, although currently on compulsory 'gardening leave', will be able to have an impact on Ferrari's next car.

A team statement on Tuesday confirmed that Fry will begin his new role as assistant technical director, reporting to Aldo Costa, on 1 July.

Ferrari said the "structure of the technical department remains (otherwise) unchanged".

Fry joined McLaren from Benetton in 1993. "I think it was probably good for him, the right decision for him to take a bit of a break, take a breather," McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said last month.

06/20/10 (GMM) McLaren's recently-departed chief engineer Pat Fry is heading to Ferrari. It emerged last month that the 46-year-old Briton, who joined from Benetton in 1993, has left the Woking based team for an unknown destination. Fry shared McLaren's chief engineer role with Tim Goss, and was in charge of the 2011 car project.

Italian media sources on Sunday said Fry is headed to Ferrari, and will have an impact on the famous Maranello based team's next car.