James Key F1 Designer Profile & Career Stats

2026 Formula 1 Designer

James Key

105th in all-time ranking | Audi designer

1
Grand Prix Win
2
Grand Prix Poles
23
Podiums
390
Grands Prix

Designer Profile

Country United Kingdom
Date of BirthJan 14th 1972 (age 54)
RoleTechnical director 20 cars
F1 Cars20 (2006–2026)
F1 TeamsMcLaren, Audi, Sauber, Toro Rosso, Force India, Spyker, Midland
Current F1 team Audi
Ranking105th of 273 all-time car designers

Wins per Team

McLaren 2020–2023 · 4 cars · 1 win Audi 2026 · 1 car · 0 wins Sauber 2011–2025 · 4 cars · 0 wins Toro Rosso 2013–2018 · 6 cars · 0 wins Force India 2008–2010 · 3 cars · 0 wins Spyker 2006–2007 · 2 cars · 0 wins Midland 2006 · 1 car · 0 wins

Key Career Landmarks

CarSpyker M16 2006Audi R26 2026
Race2006 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix2006 BHR F1 GP 34 years, 57 days34y, 57d2026 Singapore F1 Grand Prix2026 SGP F1 GP 54 years, 270 days54y, 270d
Pole2009 Belgian F1 Grand Prix2009 BEL F1 GP 37 years, 228 days37y, 228d2021 Russian F1 Grand Prix2021 RUS F1 GP 49 years, 255 days49y, 255d
Win2021 Italian F1 Grand Prix2021 ITA F1 GP 49 years, 241 days49y, 241donce so far
Podium2009 Belgian F1 Grand Prix2009 BEL F1 GP 37 years, 228 days37y, 228d2025 British F1 Grand Prix2025 GBR F1 GP 53 years, 173 days53y, 173d

F1 cars designed by James Key20 cars · 2006–2026All F1 cars →

Audi R26P82026Audi R26Technical director23 ptsAudi PUSauber C45P92025Sauber C45Technical director1 podium70 ptsFerrari PUSauber C44P102024Sauber C44Technical director4 ptsFerrari PUMcLaren MCL60P42023McLaren MCL60Technical director9 podiums302 ptsMercedes PUMcLaren MCL36P52022McLaren MCL36Technical director1 podium159 ptsMercedes PUMcLaren MCL35MP42021McLaren MCL35MTechnical director1 win275 ptsMercedes PUMcLaren MCL35P32020McLaren MCL35Technical director2 podiums202 ptsRenault PUToro Rosso STR13P92018Toro RossoToro Rosso STR13Technical director33 ptsHonda PUToro Rosso STR12P72017Toro RossoToro Rosso STR12Technical director53 ptsRenault PUToro Rosso STR11P72016Toro RossoToro Rosso STR11Technical director63 ptsFerrari PUToro Rosso STR10P72015Toro RossoToro Rosso STR10Technical director67 ptsRenault PUToro Rosso STR9P72014Toro RossoToro Rosso STR9Technical director30 ptsRenault PUToro Rosso STR8P82013Toro RossoToro Rosso STR8Technical director33 ptsFerrari engineSauber C31P62012Sauber C31Technical director4 podiums126 ptsFerrari engineSauber C30P72011Sauber C30Technical director44 ptsFerrari engineForce India VJM03P72010Force IndiaForce India VJM03Technical director68 ptsMercedes engineForce India VJM02P92009Force IndiaForce India VJM02Technical director1 podium13 ptsMercedes engineForce India VJM01P102008Force IndiaForce India VJM01Technical director0 ptsFerrari engineSpyker F8-VIIP102007SpykerSpyker F8-VIITechnical director0 ptsFerrari engineSpyker M16P102006MidlandSpyker M16Technical director0 ptsToyota engine
Stats current as of:

James Key is credited with 20 Formula 1 cars for McLaren, Audi and Sauber since 2006. Those cars won 1 Grand Prix. The most successful was the McLaren MCL35M, with 1 win. James Key ranks 105th of 273 in the all-time F1 car designer ranking.

James Key: Frequently Asked Questions

Is James Key still designing F1 cars in 2026?
Yes. James Key is credited with the Audi R26, the Audi car for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
How old is James Key?
James Key, the Formula 1 designer from United Kingdom, was born on 14 January 1972 and is 54 years old.