Horner: 'Don't know if recruiting Mercedes staff has affected them'

In taking over Honda's engine project, Red Bull Powertrains snatched a fair number of staff from Mercedes. Helmut Marko called the loss for the German racing stable "not insubstantial" and thinks it has caused its rivals some problems, but Christian Horner states that he is not concerned with that.

Asked by Sky Sports if he thinks the snatching of Mercedes personnel has had any effect on the rival team, Horner holds back. "I have no idea. We're looking to bring in the best people, and we've recruited people from Mercedes, from all the other manufacturers, as well as many manufacturers outside of Formula 1," says the Red Bull Racing team boss.

According to Horner, Red Bull's focus is entirely on creating a "hub of technical excellence," both in terms of the chassis and the engine. Either way, the direction Red Bull has taken seems to be paying off for the time being.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has but to its head than the departed staff. While Ferrari and Red Bull are battling it out for victories, the German racing stable is riding in no man's land for the time being.