The Formula One environment constantly evolves, with uncertainty as the one constant. Since Adrian Newey’s departure was confirmed, the paddock has been buzzing with speculation and rumors. One such hypothesis is about a mass exodus from Milton Keynes. The internal turmoil that resulted in Newey’s departure is far from resolved, as key RBR personnel are considering alternatives. This puts Red Bull in a vulnerable position as it gets scrutinized by fans and rivals.
A verbal spat between Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes recently spurred tension at the F1 grid. Amid verbal jabs from both sides, the drama of Formula One resembled a heated boxing match. After a short break during the Imola GP, the verbal exchange restarted as Toto Wolff schooled Christian Horner over ‘Mercedes mass exodus’ remarks.
Verbal Spat Between Red Bull And Mercedes Resumes After Brief Hiatus
Adrian Newey’s two-decade journey ended, prompting worries about a potential fallout. Red Bull management is in disarray and at risk of losing several great people. Earlier, Toto Wolff and Zak Brown were on the same side, fanning the flames. McLaren CEO Zak Brown said that Red Bull staff are seeking a way out. He stated that McLaren had received numerous CVs from RBR employees. The 52-year-old American believes people want to work with Adrian Newey, whose departure has had a long-term impact on the current situation. Afterward, Wolff was asked about Brown’s remark, and he answered quickly, confirming Brown’s comments. The Austrian executive stated that RBR CVs fly all over the F1 paddock.
Furthermore, Christian Horner claimed to have poached around 200 Mercedes employees in recent years. While describing their remarks as ‘inevitable,’ Horner remained dissatisfied with the prevailing situation. The Red Bull CEO was in no mood to hold back, pointing out Mercedes’ subpar performance while defending his team’s strengths. Recently, this statement was presented in front of Toto Wolff, who advised Horner to correct his numbers. Wolff told the media only 19 engineers had left the outfit, advising RBR’s principal to work on his maths. Further, he proclaimed the fluctuation in team members is a natural phenomenon in motorsports. People come and go, but it never hinders the process of constant betterment. Ultimately, he proudly highlighted his team’s achievements, asserting that their engines set the benchmark in the F1 world.
Horner and Wolff Reacts On The 2026 Concorde Agreement
Amid all the F1 drama, the authorities have sent the F1’s latest Concorde Agreement. Greg Maffei, chief executive of commercial rights, confirmed the change in the agreement, which binds the sport together for the upcoming season.
Christian Horner and Toto Wolff have voiced their opinions after negotiating with F1. The current agreement was signed in 2020 and will expire in 2025. Wolff said the document gives a layout for the upcoming five years of the sport. Further, he claimed it to be ‘well-balanced,’ with a slight room for discussion. On the other hand, Horner believes the current agreement works well as it provides both teams and promoters a fair chance. He concluded by saying that if something isn’t broken, don’t fix it.