McLaren F1 sign Manchester United’s popular chef Omar Meziane

Former Manchester United chef Omar Meziane is reportedly set to join the reigning Formula 1 Constructors' champions McLaren F1 in 2025. McLaren registered a historic campaign in the 2024 season, winning its ninth Constructors' title and the first since 1998 with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the helm.

The British outfit trumped close competitors Ferrari by a thin margin of 14 points, with championship runner-up Norris claiming victory in the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

As they approach the new season, aiming to defend their crown, McLaren are making some changes. While the roster of Norris and Piastri remains the same, the team has made a new acquisition in the backroom staff.

It was initially reported by Daily Mail that McLaren have hired footballing giant Manchester United's former head chef Omar Meziane. Meziane later confirmed on his Instagram bio that he is now officially the Executive Chef of the reigning Constructors' champions ahead of the 2025 season.

Meziane is a renowned figure within the sporting industry, having previously served as the England National Team's chef during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was also the executive chef for their cricket team during England's tour to India earlier this year.

The Briton could prove to be a key addition to McLaren as they mount their title defense next year.

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McLaren team principal Andrea Stella reflects on the hiring of Rob Marshall

McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella, who orchestrated the team’s triumphant return to the top, has overseen several key hires in recent years. Notably, the recruitment of Rob Marshall as technical director for engineering and design in January 2024 played a significant role in the British outfit's resurgence.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Stella praised Marshall's acquisition, stating:

"Rob came with a wealth of experience, knowledge from a technical point of view, with a reputation from this point of view."

"I have to say that, working with him, myself, the other technical directors, the entire technical team…if anything, we have been impressed even more than what we expected."

Stella further pointed out that Marshall's strategic focus extended beyond immediate challenges. According to him, Marshall's hiring lays a foundation for future success in the upcoming 2025 and 2026 seasons. He said:

"Because of these qualities, like the knowledge of how you design a car, especially from a car layout point of view. And this is very important for 2025, and this will be very important for 2026 like, I'm sitting next to Rob here, and while I sit next to him, and I see him working on the screen."

Lando Norris finished the season as the runner-up behind Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri finished the campaign in fourth position, trailing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.