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Does one man make an F1 team? Marko: 'Newey made the difference at Red Bull'
- Nicole Mulder
Red Bull Racing has lost a number of key leaders recently. Earlier this year, Adrian Newey announced his departure and later Jonathan Wheatley did the same. Helmut Marko considers the departure of both a big loss and explains why Newey and Wheatley were so important to the team.
Marko on Newey and Wheatley departures
Asked on the Inside Line F1 podcast whether one man can make a team or vice versa, Marko replied: "You have to make the difference. At that time, nobody had experience how to win races and to win championships. So at that stage, a man made the difference. Nowadays, the team has 2000 people. So nowadays, the team matters."
"It's not a single man, although it changed. You have far more simulation tools. You have so much more data. And then the single man is not the difference anymore. But there was a difference when Newey came," the 81-year-old Austrian stressed.
Wheatley also recently announced his departure. The sporting director of the Austrian Formula One team is leaving for Audi after a period of gardening leave to take up the role of team boss as part of a close partnership with Mattia Binotto.
Marko: 'Wheatley's position will be split between different people'
"Jonathan Wheatley was a very important part of the team. As you mentioned, our pitstops were a benchmark. But not only that. The whole way they approach how mechanics were trained and also the interaction with the FIA and so on. But he's now in the mid-50s. And of course, he wanted to... He started as a mechanic. So it's a very astonishing and a very proud career." Marko says.
"He wanted to come or get a position which is more demanding for him. And unfortunately, this Audi offer came, which we couldn't match either the position nor the money which was offered. And I personally understand him that he's taking this chance. But for sure, it's a loss for us. But on the other side, now we have a very widespread team. We trained young people. We are educating them. And so we have the possibility. We will put the position of Jonathan on several people. And we believe we can handle the situation."
This article has been created in collaboration with Jenny Garnett.
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