Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has threatened to create a knock-on effect with some of F1’s biggest talent linked with the Italian team.
Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari may be reason enough for Red Bull to lose technical director Pierre Wache, as the Frenchman may decide to join Fred Vasseur’s team instead.
Wache, who joined Red Bull in 2013 as chief engineer, has long been a target for Ferrari; the Italian constructor made an attempt to hire him last year, but Wache turned it down. But, with two drivers who could win World Championships behind the wheel starting in 2025, Hamilton’s arrival has enhanced the allure of their project.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Wache is considering his options and has already spoken with the 16-time world champions about a pay increase. Additionally, it is reported that he is awaiting the conclusion of the inquiry into Christian Horner, the team principal, who is accused of wrongdoing because of his assertive management style.
Considering the Frenchman’s significance to the Red Bull project, Vasseur would consider this a huge coup. According to the report, Wache is more central to the design of the machinery used by the current champions, with Adrian Newey serving more as an advisor.
Wache might have to wait if he’s awaiting word on Horner’s internal investigation before deciding whether to move to Ferrari. Craig Slater hinted in a Friday update for Sky Sports News that the investigation’s conclusion might not be known until close to Bahrain’s season opener.
“From what I understand, it seems like we’re discussing a procedure that will begin at some point in the mid-morning hours of Friday and extend into the afternoon,” Slater clarified.
With this, the investigators have promised to be exhaustive.
It’s not a given that this will be finished today, despite some people believing it might be done before Thursday, February 15, when Red Bull launches. This won’t work according to a Formula One schedule as I understand it; instead, it will follow a schedule that works to find a clear and equitable resolution for all sides.
Now that Hamilton has joined the project, Ferrari is a threat to Red Bull as well. Given their close relationship to the seven-time world champion, Andrew Shovlin and Pete Bonnington may also be targets for the Mercedes team, according to rumors. Loic Serra is already en route to Maranello.
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