Toto Wolff Fires Back at Christian Horner's Bold Claims: The Mercedes vs Red Bull F1 Battle Heats Up
The fierce rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull has taken another intriguing turn, and things are heating up in the Formula 1 paddock. Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, has taken a jab at Christian Horner’s recent assertion that Red Bull has successfully poached 220 staff from Mercedes. The verbal sparring was ignited after McLaren CEO Zak Brown noted an uptick in applications from Red Bull personnel, suggesting a potential exodus following the announcement that Adrian Newey would depart Red Bull in 2025.
The flames of the rivalry were further fanned by Horner, who declared that Red Bull’s Powertrains division had recruited 220 members from Mercedes’ engine department. But Wolff wasn't having any of it. Speaking after the race at Imola, Wolff rebutted Horner's claims, urging him to ‘work on the maths.’ According to Wolff, only 19 engineers had made the switch, which he characterizes as part of the natural ebbs and flows within the competitive world of Formula 1.
“You’ve got to work on the maths. 19 engineers,” Wolff stated. For him, the transition of personnel between teams is commonplace and doesn’t signify a catastrophic loss for Mercedes. “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.” Wolff remained confident that the excellence and continuity of Mercedes' engine department remain undiminished.
Wolff took the opportunity to shed light on the strength and resilience of Mercedes' engineering team. “It’s a perfect organisation, they have delivered for a long time, since 2014 we have been the benchmark, with maybe another engine the benchmark, that hasn’t changed. I really can’t wait for 2026 [and the new regulations] to come and see the different levels of performance of the power unit.” While the horizon of 2026 looms with promise and potential, Wolff’s comments underline a cautious optimism.
The ongoing revolution within the Formula 1 community is not limited to Mercedes and Red Bull alone. Ferrari has also entered the fray by acquiring Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio from Mercedes, set to commence their duties in October. Additionally, sources suggest that Ferrari's Chief Aerodynamicist has left the team, symbolizing the broader shifts in personnel that reverberate across the paddock.
Wolff hinted at a renewed vigor within Mercedes as it strives to conquer the challenges imposed by the current ruleset. “Yeah if I look at two years ago this was horrendous,” he admitted candidly. Reflecting on past tribulations, Wolff acknowledged, “We could have done things differently and better, spotted things earlier, and optimised in the organisation, and we didn’t. Where we are at the moment in this direction is correct.”
In summary, the turbulent interplay between Mercedes and Red Bull underscores the relentless quest for supremacy that is intrinsic to Formula 1. As teams continue to reengineer their strategies and bolster their workforce, only time will reveal the true implications of these significant changes. With new regulations on the horizon, the stage is set for an electrifying chapter in the ever-evolving epic of Formula 1.