P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has expressed “surprise” that F1 rivals can grant salaries that are “double” the amount it can amid the team’s recent exodus.
The Austrian team’s dominance on the racetrack has been hindered recently due to key figures from their successful past announcing their departure. McLaren revealed last month that Red Bull’s longtime Head of Race Strategy, Will Courtenay, will be taking on the role of Sporting Director for the championship-leading team. Courtenay isn’t the only one leaving, as design guru Adrian Newey shocked the team earlier this season by announcing his upcoming departure to become Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner in 2025. Red Bull’s Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley is also moving on to become Sauber’s team boss. Helmut Marko emphasized that such changes are inevitable in Formula 1 due to the competitive nature and financial aspects of the sport. He expressed concerns about the increasing amounts being offered to team members by rival teams, making it challenging for Red Bull to retain everyone, even after long periods of service like in the cases of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. Marko also pointed out the impact of the passing of Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, suggesting that the organizational changes following his death played a role in Newey’s decision to explore new opportunities.
