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Red Bull Powertrains recruits top Mercedes man as tech boss

Red Bull Powertrains has confirmed the appointment of Mercedes HPP head of engineering Ben Hodgkinson as its technical director.

Hodgkinson will lead Red Bull's engine program, with a key focus on developing RBP's future power unit that will cater to Formula 1's next generation engine regulations which are expected to be introduced in 2025.

Hodgkinson's early career in motorsport saw the British engineer develop engines for the World Rally Championship as well for Le Mans before he joined Ilmor Racing Engines, the company that evolved to become Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

After two decades with Mercedes HPP, Hodgkinson will leave the successful Brixworth unit once the terms of his contract are fulfilled and to take up his position as technical director at Milton Keynes with Red Bull Powertrains.

©RedBull

"We are delighted to welcome Ben to Red Bull Powertrains as Technical Director," said Red Bull racing team boss Christian Horner.

"He comes to this hugely exciting project as a proven race winner and as an innovator capable of leading a like-minded team of highly skilled engineers.

"When Red Bull announced the creation of Red Bull Powertrains it was also announcing a new phase of the company’s ambition in Formula One – to bring every aspect of car design in-house and to put our destiny in our own hands.

"The ultimate expression of that is the development of a Red Bull power unit to meet the next generation of Formula One engine regulations.

"Ben’s appointment signals our long-term intent and we will support him and his team with every available resource required in order to succeed."

Read also: Red Bull determined to attract 'the best talent' to new engine unit

Red Bull Powertrains is set to take over Honda's engine program from 2022 until the end of 2024, at which point the company will have produced its own engine package to power its cars from 2025.

"I’m extremely excited to be joining Red Bull Powertrains as Technical Director," commented Hodgkinson.

"It was not easy to make the decision to leave HPP after almost 20 years but the opportunity to take on such a far-reaching and important project is a great honour.

"Red Bull is a serious player in Formula One and have been our biggest rival in the hybrid era, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in this new phase of the company’s journey."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.