Tyler Alexander, one of the founding members of McLaren's Formula One team, has died at the age of 75.
Alexander joined founder Bruce McLaren in the 1960's to create McLaren's F1 effort. The American would assume the role as chief engineer as well as a variety of other responsibilities.
Alexander also had experience in the late 1960's and 1970's with McLaren's United States CanAm and USAC racing teams. He also was part of two Indianapolis 500 victories, before returning to McLaren's F1 organization.
Alexander during the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix.
In a statement on the McLaren-Honda website, McLaren Group CEO Ron Dennis said: "Alongside Bruce McLaren, who founded the McLaren company in 1963, Tyler Alexander was one of the first pillars of our company - working hard alongside Bruce from the very earliest days - and Bruce couldn't have asked for a sturdier pair of shoulders upon which to help build the team's reputation.
"Tyler's expert yet practical expertise, coupled with his energetic and optimistic attitude, topped off by his infectiously dry and satirical sense of humour, made him both highly successful and hugely popular, whether he was overseeing car-builds in the team's workshop, running race-winning CanAm and Indy 500 crews, or working with some of the world's greatest drivers and engineers in Formula 1.
"Quite simply, Tyler lived and breathed McLaren - and, following his retirement in late 2008, during which season he attended every Grand Prix and played an important part in securing the team's and Lewis Hamilton's world championship success, he remained a much loved and greatly valued chum to many of us, regularly visiting our Woking factory to catch up with pals old and new. Tyler's was a friendship that you could really rely upon; he was a man who would never let you down.
Tyler Alexander chats with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
"In fact, Tyler was one of the finest of the old school: hardy, humble and wise, leaving a reputation and a legacy that will remain indelible in the history of international motorsport.
"So, on behalf of all at McLaren, I'd like to pay heartfelt tribute to one of our team's founding fathers, and to offer our deepest condolences to his many friends and his ever-loving companion, Jane Nottage, who has always stood by him, valiant to the very end."
After working for Beatrice F1 Team and BMW's IMSA effort, Alexander returned to McLaren F1 in 1989. He would stay with the team until his retirement after the 2008 F1 season.
