Mercedes has confirmed an agreement with Red Bull that a power unit engineer can move from the former to the latter. In a tweet on their official Twitter account, the team confirmed that engineer Ben Hodgkinson will be leaving the Silver Arrows to join their direct competitors this year. It is reading:
“Mercedes F1 and Red Bull F1 today reached an agreement on the appointment of Ben Hodgkinson. Under the terms of this agreement, Ben, who joined Mercedes in August 2001, can join Red Bull Powertrains from May 24, 2022.” Mercedes F1 and Red Bull F1 today reached an agreement on the appointment of Ben Hodgkinson.
Under the terms of this agreement, Ben, who joined Mercedes in August 2001, can join Red Bull Powertrains effective May 24, 2022.
Mercedes F1 and Red Bull F1 today reached an agreement on the appointment of Ben Hodgkinson. Under the terms of this agreement, Ben, who joined Mercedes in August 2001, can join Red Bull Powertrains effective May 24, 2022.
Hodgkinson had been a Mercedes employee since 2001. However, he cannot join Christian Horner’s side until after May 24, 2022.
Red Bull pulled off a coup when they approached Hodgkinson in 2021, shortly after acquiring Honda’s engine-related intellectual property (IP). The move allowed Red Bull to evolve from a customer team to an engine manufacturer. However, the Milton Keynes-based team was bogged down with Mercedes over his arrival. The problem now appears to be resolved.
At the time of the 2021 announcement, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said:
“We are very pleased to welcome Ben to Red Bull Powertrains as Technical Director. He comes to this extremely exciting project as a proven race winner and an innovator able to lead a like-minded team of highly skilled engineers.”
Red Bull has also reportedly hired almost 500 people for its new Powertrains division. They will be succeeded by Honda, who will provide support during the transition period.
It remains to be seen how this will affect Toto Wolff’s team in the new season. The mid-season move is also expected to have meant Mercedes had to protect their own intellectual property from the Red Bull-bound Hodgkinson.
The actions of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after the 2021 F1 season finale were “unacceptable”, says Martin Brundle
The antics of Toto Wolff, team boss of the Silver Arrows, after the 2021 F1 season finale were “unacceptable”, according to Martin Brundle. Brundle is a former British racing driver who now works as an analyst for Sky F1.
Wolff kept in touch with Race Director Michael Masi throughout the race and engaged in a roaring battle with the Australian towards the end of the race.
I don’t care what becomes of Michael Masi as long as I continue to live in a timeline where he said that to Toto Wolff.
I don’t care what becomes of Michael Masi as long as I continue to live in a timeline where he said that to Toto Wolff. https://t.co/D7xuizWsSI
Brundle spoke about Wolff’s behavior during a Sky F1 panel discussion, where he said:
“One hundred percent. In the first safety car incident (in Abu Dhabi), when (Antonio) Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo broke down just off a side road, we had Toto (Wolff) radio to Masi, who said, ‘Hey Michael, no safety car,” it was trying to influence a safety decision. (It’s) totally unacceptable and Toto knows that. We can’t have that.”
Brundle added:
“For me it was one of the most uncomfortable aspects of the season. We saw it in Saudi Arabia, Silverstone, team bosses in the stewards’ office trying to object to them mid-race. That has to stop. Can you imagine a [football] Manager running onto the field and blaming the referee and telling the decisions he’s going to make next? No, you can’t have that.”
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As a result, the FIA is reportedly considering cutting all communication links between team bosses and the race director for 2022. Meanwhile, the Silver Arrows plan to unveil their new car for the upcoming season on February 18th.
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