Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has confirmed that James Key will not be replaced at the team when he leaves to join McLaren. The technical director penned a deal with the Woking outfit last year, however it is not known what date he will link up with his new team.
However, Toro Rosso will not bring in a replacement, as the Toro Rosso design will be heavily influenced by its parent team, Red Bull Racing: "We can’t have almost the same technical team in Faenza as in Milton Keynes in terms of the number of people,” Marko told Autosport.
“The concepts were worked out. These concepts [more Toro Rosso reliance on Red Bull] have not been fully implemented to this day. One factor was that James Key was not so happy with them. All in all, the solution we wanted is finally there. And it was easier without James Key.
“The position will not be filled. The technical director, in this sense, is no longer necessary because the concept [for the car] comes from Red Bull Racing," Marko added.
Both teams will run with Honda engines in 2019, following the success of Toro Rosso's campaign with the Japanese manufacturer in 2019. Toro Rosso's concept of taking on parts from Red Bull stems from the push for keeping costs down.
“The concept is no longer a secret: Toro Rosso has received three trucks full of parts and will take over many parts of the 2018 car from Red Bull Racing, as far as the regulations allow,” said Marko.
“The whole thing was made easier by the whole engine question. The complete rear end is from us, everything that is permitted according to the regulations. This gives us a small advantage on the cost side.”
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Way to toss Key into the sea, Marko. Class act as usual. Yet there are probably some degree of truth in it. Some.