F1 team 'offering double salaries' as huge mission launched to steal rivals' staff

Red Bull bosses are bracing themselves for a raid of team staff from the new Formula 1 team Cadillac. Next season, the American outfit will become the first new team on the grid since Haas debuted in 2016, and have the financial backing of TWG Global.

They have yet to confirm their driver line-up, with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas among the names in the frame. They also still need to finalise team members and are reportedly targeting Red Bull's Milton Keynes factory for new recruits. The development follows the departure of team principal Christian Horner this season after 20 years at the helm, despite the Englishman being contracted until 2030.

Horner had built up a close relationship with several Red Bull colleagues, and his departure has raised fears of a team exodus. New boss Laurent Mekies now faces a fight to tie employees down long term, with many said to have clauses enabling them to leave if Horner got sacked.

According to F1 journalist Roger Benoit, Cadillac is prepared to double the salaries of current staff members at Red Bull and other rival teams. In addition to Horner, the team has already lost key figures like Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and Will Courtenay in the past two years.

Further departures could seriously trouble the team, which has been the dominant force in F1 for the past four seasons. Max Verstappen's long-term future remains under scrutiny despite the Dutchman's commitment to the 2026 campaign.

Cadillac's first testing sessions are due to take place in January. The company plans to operate four car manufacturing facilities, with its headquarters to be based in Indianapolis in the US.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon has been vocal about the team's ambitions. He's also responded to criticism over their lack of confirmed drivers, saying last month: "The main focus up to now has been building the car.

"I think if we reached Melbourne and there was no car for a driver nobody would thank us at all. But we are advancing discussions with a number of drivers so watch this space."