Marko warns of 'psychological factor' after losing to Newey
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- Corwin Kunst
Helmut Marko still regrets the departure of Adrian Newey. The top designer joined the team in 2006 and thanks in part to him several world titles were captured. However, Marko reiterated his belief that the Austrian formation can remain the best even without the 65-year-old Briton.
Speaking to Motorsport-Total.com, Marko quotes late Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz: "The advantage of Newey is that the others don't have him," says the Austrian consultant, putting the stamp of 'legend' on Newey. "He has contributed a lot to our successes."
At the same time, Red Bull was also prepared for the moment when Newey would decide to leave. The contracts of technical director Pierre Waché, chief aerodynamicist Enrico Balbo and Ben Waterhouse (Head of Performance Engineering) were extended prior to the season, and that was joined this weekend by Chief Engineering Paul Monaghan.
Marko happy with technical team
"Meanwhile, the technical team has expanded enormously. We have young talents like Ben Waterhouse and established names like Pierre Wache. And I don't think this [Newey's departure] will have dramatic consequences for Red Bull. I suspect technical performance and genius will not suffer," Marko said.
What will be a factor, in the 81-year-old former driver's view, is the "psychological factor". "There have been many young engineers who probably only came to us because working under Newey was attractive, and he is the most successful designer."