Red Bull's latest poach from Mercedes a "statement of intent"

Ewan Gale
Saturday 6 August 2022 11:30

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has labelled the signing of Phil Prew to the team's powertrains division as a "statement of intent".

The Milton Keynes-based team created the division off the back of Honda's withdrawal from F1 at the end of last season.

Red Bull set off on an aggressive recruitment drive, poaching numerous personnel from rivals Mercedes to bolster its roster including new technical director of the division, Ben Hodgkinson.

Prew is the latest signing to Red Bull Powertrains to have jumped ship and was most recently the chief engineer of Mercedes' engine programme.

"I’m delighted that Phil is going to be joining the team and he has a phenomenal track record," said Horner.

"He has been a key component of Mercedes’ recent success and again, it is another statement of intent of where we want to be with the power unit.

“I think we have assembled great strength and depth within the business and it’s fantastic to see it really coming together and coming to life.

“Phil’s one of a few key signings recently that add to the very talented group of people that we have already assembled.”

Additional reporting by Ian Parkes