Red Bull is reportedly eyeing up Ferrari Formula 1 engineer Simone Resta to bolster the technical ranks of sister team RB, according to Motorsport.com’s Italian edition.
Associated with Ferrari since 2001, Resta served as the marque’s Chief Designer between 2014 and 2018 before a spell heading Alfa Romeo’s technical department.
Having returned to Ferrari in 2019, Resta assumed the role of Haas Technical Director in 2021 as part of the American side’s strengthened alliance with the Italian outfit.
But despite an encouraging start to F1’s latest ground effect regulations, Haas slipped to the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship last term with 12 points.
Prior to Haas announcing that Guenther Steiner had not been retained as Team Principal beyond 2023, it was reported that Resta’s loan arrangement had been cut short.
Ferrari has released no information about Resta’s future endeavours, but the report details that the Italian “is not part of the Scuderia’s plans” within its F1 operation.
Instead, it’s touted that Resta could relocate to Ferrari’s GT programme, while rumours persist that Sauber, which will evolve into Audi from 2026, could also make a move.
However, Motorsport.com’s Italian outlet has published that Resta is the subject of interest to Red Bull, who would position him at the company’s second-string F1 outfit.
The Faenza-based camp, which has been rebranded to Visa Cash App RB from AlphaTauri this season, appointed ex-Ferrari Racing Director as its new Team Principal.
“Resta is in the crosshairs of Racing Bull, the current AlphaTauri [now RB],” the report states. “It is true that the junior team is in the process of transformation and many figures are being transferred from Bicester and Faenza to Milton Keynes, so there will be greater synergy with Red Bull, but it is equally true that the Emilian has great experience in the transfer of technology from the top team to the client.
“Laurent Mekies, freshly appointed Team Principal, would not buy a closed box, especially as Resta would also be able to bring along his right-hand man, Matteo Piraccini.”
The debate surrounding two-team ownership in F1 has increased over recent months, with McLaren CEO Zak Brown concerned about the advantage Red Bull stands to gain.
Amid AlphaTauri’s struggles since this regulation cycle began, it was revealed that the team would capitalise on forging a closer technical relationship with owners Red Bull.
Alongside utilising more components from the reigning champions – including the rear suspension it adopted last year – the revamped entry will expand its presence in the United Kingdom by moving its aero department to a facility in Milton Keynes, where the parent company’s base is housed.
The tighter ties caused Brown to encourage the sport’s bosses to investigate what he considers to be a relationship that goes against “the fairness of the sport” nowadays.
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