Helmut Marko states Red Bull’s recruitment of Mercedes personnel as a potential factor behind the reigning constructors’ “lackluster” form during 2022
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Helmut Marko the Red Bull team adviser has recently come out in public and has given his verdict on the intensive recruitment that was done by Red Bull by employing Mercedes personnel.
Helmut Marko has confirmed that 50 Mercedes engine staff have switched to Red Bull powertrains and believes it has had a significant impact.
Last season during Verstappen and Hamilton’s on-track tussle Red Bull was busy building their new engine operation to fill the void left by the departure of Honda Powertrains. During last season the Japanese manufacturer announced that they were going to leave F1 at the end of the 2021 F1 season.
In order to set up their in-house project Red Bull needed adept personnel and they saw the opportunity of getting it from their fiercest rival Mercedes who is only 30 miles up the road from Milton Keynes.
Toto Wolff last year in May claimed that 100 Mercedes personnel were approached by Red Bull but only 15 of them joined the Red Bull team. However, as per a report that was released a week later it was revealed that the number would rise to 50.
Helmut Marko believes the higher number of departures from Mercedes may have had an effect on the team and states it as a potential reason behind the performance deficit that Mercedes currently has in comparison to Red Bull and Ferrari.
Helmut Marko on the departure of Andy Cowell from Mercedes
Helmut Marko has stated another reason and believes the departure of Andy Cowell from Brixworth and Formula One could also be a reason behind the current performance of Mercedes engines.
Asked whether the number of staff Red Bull Powertrains had taken from Mercedes was indeed around 50, Marko said: “Yes, something like that.”
“I think a loss of this size is not insignificant, it’s quite normal that it can create some difficulties. And just before that, Andy Cowell left.”
Honda even after ending ties with Red Bull still holds some involvement with the Milton Keynes team and Helmut has said that the program is just starting to hit its full stride.
“They are already working on the engine in accordance with the 2026 regulations.”
“We are very happy to be able to cope with this program. The powertrains should be fully functional in the second half of this year, which means the testbeds will be calibrated and up and running.”
“In parallel, of course, we will also have to set up a production line and that will be the next step.”
It seems Red Bull has got a vision and they are working towards a brighter future back at their factory in Milton Keynes. They have got their eyes set on 2026 and it will be interesting to see how the current season is going to develop for them and if they would be able to supply the power-packed engines that are helping them in keeping pace with the Ferrari team this season.
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Rishabh Negi
(3244 Articles Published)