Wolff fires back at Horner after mass staff poaching claim

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has denied Red Bull has poached 220 staff members from the German manufacturer's engine department.

Following confirmation that Red Bull technical expert Adrian Newey will leave the team in 2025, Wolff and McLaren boss Zak Brown claimed there has been an increase of CVs from Red Bull employees being sent around.

Horner responded by suggesting his team has lured over 200 staff members from Mercedes, who has slipped back in the pecking order during recent seasons.

Wolff has hit back at the claim, telling media including RacingNews365: “You’ve got to work on the math - 19 engineers.

“And so whatever those numbers are, I think there is a natural fluctuation between teams that come and go, which is completely normal. 

“We have an engine department that is as good as it can be, with a top leadership. 

“There is not a millimetre in HPP that should be different in terms of organisational set-up, in terms of the people that work there that I’m lucky to interact with, it’s a perfect organisation.”

Mercedes the 'benchmark'

Wolff highlighted his faith in Mercedes' F1 engine project, expressing it has been the “benchmark” since the new 2014 power unit regulations. 

“They are delivering, they have delivered for a long time, since 2014 we have pretty much been the benchmark, with maybe another engine, we have been the benchmark, that hasn’t changed,” Wolff said.

“I really can't wait for 2026 [when the engines will undergo changes] to come and see the different levels of performance of the power unit.”

While Mercedes has suffered key exits in recent weeks, including performance director Loic Serra and driver development director Jerome d’Ambrosio, team technical director James Allisson has asserted it has not deterred the Brackley-based squad.

“I don't think there's any point in me offering a commentary on motivation,” he said. 

“Clearly, a team needs to have a critical mass of experienced and good people. And we would not wish to see experienced good people leave us. 

“But we also are gathering experienced and good people at a similar rate. 

“So I guess it's our job to try and make sure we act in such a way as everybody would rather be with us than anywhere else.”