Horner shrugs off Red Bull staff departures, cites Mercedes exodus

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Christian Horner has downplayed rumors that some key members of Red Bull are being targeted by rival teams.

After the announcement last week of designer Adrian Newey’s exit from Red Bull, it was reported during the Miami Grand Prix weekend that several key members of the Milton Keynes-based outfit, including long-time sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, were being targeted by competitors.

McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown added fuel to the fire when, addressing Newey’s departure, he revealed that team papaya had seen “an increase in CVs coming our way” from Red Bull, suggesting that an outflow of personnel was unfolding at the team following its recent period of disruption.

Horner shrugged off the comments however, and highlighted the fact that Red Bull Powertrains, the team’s in-house engine division, had successfully poached and recruited over 220 personnel from Mercedes' HPP own engine department.

Read also: McLaren’s Brown not surprised ‘high integrity’ Newey is moving on

"I don't have any concern of the strength in depth. Of course, there is always going to be movement between teams," Horner said.

"I don't know how many people we or RB have employed from McLaren this year. Mercedes, we have taken 220 people out of HPP into Red Bull Powertrains.

"So, when we are talking about losing people, I would be a bit more worried about the 220 than maybe one or two CVs."

Horner felt that it was “inevitable” for McLaren and Mercedes’ figureheads to fuel media controversy.

"I think it is inevitable. The two candidates involved, they talk a lot,” said the Red Bull team principal.

"But I am not going to get sucked into a tit-for-tat. I would be more focused on Toto's own issues that he has."

According to Motorsport.com, Red Bull’s head of aerodynamics Enrico Balbo and head of performance engineering Ben Waterhouse both recently extended their contracts with the team, while technical director Pierre Wache was also locked down for the long term following an agreement signed earlier this year.

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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.