The off-track storyline between Red Bull and Mercedes regarding the hiring of engineers doesn't look as though it is going away anytime soon, with Ferrari's Mattia Binotto taking a dig at the Milton Keynes outfit over how they've approached the matter.
Red Bull are set to manufacture their own power-units from 2022, with Honda departing F1 at the end of the season. As a result the Milton-Keynes based outfit have poached around 15 engineers from Mercedes for their new Red Bull Powertrains, with the future of former head of Mercedes F1 power units Andy Cowell a topic of regular discussion in recent days.
Binotto explained that Ferrari have made their own hires over the past few years without making it public knowledge, a stark difference from how Red Bull have opted to operate in recent months.
"Over the last three years we've brought in over 30 engineers from other teams," Binotto told Corriere della Sera. "Red Bull seem to be announcing all their hires rather than just signing them, while we are doing it without letting it be known."
As for Ferrari's plans next season when an engine freeze will be introduced, Binotto explained how the team are approaching matters given a new fuel will be introduced as well.
“Starting with next season there will be an engine freeze for the next three years, so important steps must be taken here as well," Binotto added.
"We have to use a new fuel with 10 percent ethanol. It sounds simple, but the combustion characteristics change completely."
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