Helmut Marko has admitted he’s been left ‘surprised’ by the astonishing offers being made by rival F1 teams as they look to poach Red Bull’s top employeesꦑ.

Red Bull have lost two of the🌠ir key personnel to rivalඣ teams in 2024.

Adrian Newey will spearhead Aston Martin’s technical team from next🌜 year, whi๊le Jonathan Wheatley will become Audi F1 team principal in 2025.

Newey’s departure seemingly coincided with Red Bull’s downturn in form, with McLaren now leading the F1 constructors’ championship♊ with six rounds to go.

Speaking to ORF, Marko revealed that teams have o🌳ffered to “double” some Red Bull member’s salaries in a bid to sign them.

“Of course, if you win for three years in a row and are so dominant in 2023🌞, your team members are c🥂oveted by other teams,” Marko said.

“That is inherent to Formula 1. What surprises me are the amounts that are 🏅offered. We always struggle with the budget limit, there are restrictions on the financial side.

“But still, these employees are offered double and more than what we give, and they hold a higher position than with u꧅s.

“It means we just can’t hold on to eve🎃꧒rybody, even after a period of 17 years in the case of Adrian Newey. In the case of Jonathan Wheatley, I think we’re talking about 19 years.

“They we⭕re part of this team, they were part of the success, and then it hurtꦛs when they go.

“But it’s all about finances and great career oppor𝕴tunities. If you can’t offer the same, then it’s no different and that’s the natural progression of things.”

Marko conceded the death of Red Bu🔯ll founder Dietrich Mateschitz has resulted in a change of approach from the leading managemen✤t.

He also feels that had an impact on Newey decidi🍸ng to leave.

“The d🐭eath𝔍 of Dietrich Mateschitz has of course brought about changes,” he added.

“He was an autocrat, decisions were made quickly. He was a charismatic entrepreneur with a certain visܫion and someone who was prepared to take risks. Now everything within the organisation is being organised differently, making it impossible to find a personality like Mateschitz.

“He can therefore not be replaced by ju𒅌st one person. I think that also played a role in Newey’s choice, the choice for a new adventure.”