With the ‘Silly Season’ of new power unit elements to be introduced by each of the teams throughout pre-season already underway, the top teams continue to source from their main rivals on track.
The Organization chart of a Formula 1 team says a lot about the way each of the ten teams that currently compete in the premier category of motorsport, with renowned personalities who usually stand out in the sport for playing a good role in their respective positions.
Adrian Newey is probably the best known in this regard: the genius of aerodynamics which, among others, made possible the meteoric rise of Red Bull to the top thanks to revolutionary ideas in the ‘Great Circus’ that others could only observe with admiration from a distance.
Like the market for pilots, the market for technicians It is another very important one to ensure that the car that finally hits the asphalt shows the necessary performance so that the drivers can fight for everything.
Outputs like Marcin Budkowski from Alpine just two months before the start of the competition in Bahrain, accompanied by Alain Prost, Otmar Szafnauer leaving his position at Aston Martin behind or McLaren’s conversations with Volkswagen attest to the desire of those most responsible for having the best.
Disputes at the summit
After Aston Martin definitively confirmed the arrival in the formation commanded by Lawrence Stroll of Dan Fallows, Red Bull’s aerodynamics chief who ceased to be after a long trial, now it is Red Bull’s turn to ‘fish’ for his part.
On this occasion, those based in Milton Keynes have closed the incorporation of Ben Hodkingson, head of mechanical engineering at Mercedes since 2017 who, however, has belonged to the German formation since 2001, after announcing it in April 2021. His landing will materialize in May 2022, more than a year after said statement, a clear sign that contracts in high places are highly prized.
Ben, who joined Mercedes in August 2001, will be free to join Red Bull Powertrains from May 24, 2022.
“Mercedes and Red Bull have reached an agreement today on the appointment of Ben Hodgkinson. Under the terms of that agreement, Ben, who joined Mercedes in August 2001, will be free to join Red Bull Powertrains from May 24, 2022.”
Hodgkinson did not arrive alone, since even other five members of Mercedes will go the same way as him: Steve Blewett as director of engine production, Omid Mostaghimi, head of powertrains, electronics and ERS, Pip Clode, head of ERS mechanical design, Anton Mayo, head of combustion engine design for the power unit and Steve Brodie, head of the ICE operations group.