Horner: No 'hostage exchange' with Ferrari over Mekies

40

Christian Horner has rubbished suggestions that Red Bull could allow Ferrari to poach members of its technical staff in exchange for the Scuderia's sporting director Laurent Mekies moving to AlphaTauri before the end of the year.

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur recently alluded to a massive recruitment plan that is currently underway at the House of Maranello as part of the team's reorganization following the announcements of the departures of Mekies and senior engineer David Sanchez who will join McLaren in 2024.

Reports suggested that several key members of Red Bull's engineering team have been targeted by Red Bull, including technical director Pierre Waché and head of aerodynamics Enrico Balbo.

Read also: Vasseur unfazed by Mekies departure – insists on 'power of the team'

Both men are believed to have been locked in by Red Bull, as has been chief technical officer Adrian Newey who recently extended his contract with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

However, amid the speculation it has been suggested that Red Bull could negotiate Mekies' early release by facilitating the transfer to Ferrari of technical personnel coveted by the Scuderia.

But Horner denied that there would "hostage" talks between Red Bull and Ferrari.

"As usual, there's plenty of speculation," Horner told the media in Miami. "Will there be a hostage exchange for Laurent Mekies? Well, we don't have any hostages.

"So in terms of personnel moving to Ferrari, certainly at a senior or intermediate levels there's nothing planned.

"Individuals that have been mentioned in connection with Ferrari came to see me last week and mentioned their disbelief in some of these rumours.

"But it's Formula One, that will inevitably happen, but there's no plans for any senior members of our team to be joining Maranello."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.