Toto Wolff tasks Red Bull veteran to create ‘forensic profiles’ of rival team members | F1 | Sport
Toto Wolff’s new Red Bull signing has built “forensic profiles” of Mercedes’ rivals since switching teams. Wolff secured the services of former Red Bull Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jayne Poole ahead of the new campaign.
She was immediately tasked with looking at the team’s infrastructure and suggesting improvements to help develop off the track. However, she has made other valuable contributions including offering insights into their major rivals.
Wolff revealed he had enjoyed a “respectful relationship” with Poole for a decade and even she was vital in Red Bull’s success last year. Wolf told Motorsport.com: “She worked for the competitor, but you can respect people working for a competitor and acknowledge their performance.
“Her role at Red Bull was, in my opinion, a very large part of the success of the team over the last years.
“That relationship came to an end, like many relationships come to a natural end. I wanted to hire Jayne for a long time, but it was just never an option. And then it became now.
“She’s a great addition. She has a lot of know-how, she’s a great psychologist, she has seen another organisation, she knows everybody pretty much, and she has created forensic profiles of all of the good people in Formula One. Having her eyes is a very, very strong edge to the organisation.”
The acquisition is vital for Mercedes having lost a series of key personnel since the turn of the new rules cycle. The team’s strategist, James Vowles, left the squad ahead of the 2023 season to take up the post as Williams team principal.
James Allison also took a step back at the end of 2021 but has since returned as technical director. Leading figures Andy Cowell and Aldo Costa have also been notable departures in recent years.
Back In 2021, Wolff confirmed the team had lost around 15 staff members to work for Red Bull’s new Powertrains division. Mercedes have struggled since new regulations came into force at the start of last season.
The German marque appears to have taken dropped even further with just one podium under their belt so far this year. Aston Martin’s resurgence is a notable threat with Alonso securing a top-three finish on four occasions.