Former McLaren spy scandal designer gets new job

McLaren designer, Mike Coughlan, who was sacked from the Woking based squad after his participation in the 2007 Ferrari spy affair was revealed, is now working for Ricardo Transmissions, the company that will be supplying the standard transmission to the Formula One grid alongside the new standard Cosworth engine deal.

"I can confirm that Mike Coughlan is working as a contractor to Ricardo," a spokesperson from the company told us. “However, I can also confirm that this is in the company's automotive consulting business and his activities are completely unrelated to the Ricardo motorsport business."

Ricardo is the largest transmission engineering and design consultancy in the United Kingdom and their combination of key technologies from both motorsport and mainstream automotive applications has enabled development of cutting edge capability. This philosophy and “right first time" approach has resulted in an enviable track record in all forms of competition at the highest levels.