F1 News: Ferrari's Secret Bidding War For Horner And Newey Revealed By Red Bull Advisor
In a striking revelation, Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko, spoke about Ferrari's aggressive attempts to enlist key Red Bull figures, including team boss Christian Horner and the renowned technical genius Adrian Newey. This disclosure lifts the veil off the fierce competition not only on the Formula 1 tracks but also behind the scenes in the recruitment arena.
Marko shared how Ferrari repeatedly approached Newey, widely recognised as F1's most eminent technical mind. He went on to detail a particularly close call when Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari's then-team boss, was on the verge of announcing a deal with Newey.
During an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick, Marko explained:
"Montezemolo was already cheering in the paddock and wanted to announce the deal, but during the night we were able to change Newey's mind."
However, Ferrari didn't stop there. They made a calculated play for Red Bull's dedicated team boss, Christian Horner, marking another significant recruitment endeavor. This occurred last year, when Ferrari was actively seeking to replace Mattia Binotto as team principal.
Marko opened up about the stressful night spent persuading Horner to remain a part of the Red Bull family. He revealed:
"It took me another whole night to convince Horner to stay at Red Bull."
The twist in the tale is the financial implication of retaining Horner. Marko dryly noted:
"And it cost us millions more."
These failed recruitment attempts illustrate the high stakes, off-track rivalry among F1 teams. Retaining top talent often involves sleepless nights and hefty pay increases, a testament to the intense competitive spirit in the world of Formula 1.