It has been revealed by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport that Ferrari have signed two engineers from rivals Red Bull, with the duo set to join the Maranello-based team next year.
The two engineers that Ferrari have signed are required to enter a “full gardening” leave, meaning they won’t be able to work with the Italians until 2024.
This is fairly common when an engineer moves to a rival team, something Ferrari certainly are for Red Bull.
Ferrari have certainly been busy off-track over the last three seasons, with the Italians having reportedly signed 30 engineers in the last three years alone.
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“Two engineers have just been hired and have ceased their activity at Red Bull, they are in full gardening [leave] and will be in force in Maranello in 2024,” reports Corriere dello Sport.
“But their names are not yet known, nor is it known how much difference they can make.
“After all, the Cavallino has hired thirty technicians in the last three years – even from top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes”.
Whilst it remains unknown to the media who the two engineers are, Ferrari will likely be delighted to have poached staff from Red Bull.
Ferrari, of course, have endured a challenging start to the 2023 F1 season, with the Scuderia being the only frontrunner to have not claimed a podium this season.
After three races, Red Bull have claimed five podiums, Aston Martin have claimed three, and Mercedes have stood on the rostrum once.
Ferrari’s best result so far this season is fourth at the Bahrain Grand Prix; however, Charles Leclerc would’ve likely finished third at the season-opener had he not retired following a power unit failure.
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After finishing second last season, Ferrari have entered 2023 with a car that needs work, with an aggressive development path having seemingly been chosen by the side based on the incoming upgrades.
Ferrari have upgrades planned for several consecutive races following next weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a venue where both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz retired last season.
Signing two engineers from Red Bull potentially suggests that the Italians are already looking to 2024 and beyond, something which team principal Frederic Vasseur will likely be asked in Baku.