24 replies to this topic

[Owen]

@F1Reddit: Red Bull chief mechanic Kenny Handkammer has left the team with immediate effect http://t.co/IeC5OjgfG7

He's not at Suzuka. What's this about? Has he been made a scapegoat for Vettels (relatively) lean season?

[goingthedistance]

Interesting.

 

More likely he's taken a job with another team and has immediately been garden leaved. 

 

Or not, sounds more likely he got sacked:

 

http://www.spox.com/..._medium=twitter

Edited by goingthedistance, 02 October 2014 - 21:24.

[Risil]

Well, the Red Bulls do keep breaking down.

 

Who's the chief mechanic at Mercedes?

 

And is Sam Michael writing new dates on his CV and sending his best interview suit to the dry cleaners right now?

Edited by Risil, 02 October 2014 - 21:45.

[bourbon]

@F1Reddit: Red Bull chief mechanic Kenny Handkammer has left the team with immediate effect http://t.co/IeC5OjgfG7

He's not at Suzuka. What's this about? Has he been made a scapegoat for Vettels (relatively) lean season?

 

Seb's already taken the blame for his performance.  For Seb, there have been a ton of reliability issues and failures - he's driven 1200 less miles than his teammate.  But Dan's car has been very tight.  So I don't think that is likely the reason behind it.  Maybe tho, who knows...?  Good Luck in the future Kenny - with 25 years in F1, I'm sure he'll quickly find a home.

[grichka]

Don't believe he was sacked because of Vettel having poor season. He has clearly had a very good relationship with Vettel for all those years at RBR.

Edited by grichka, 02 October 2014 - 22:57.

[weareracing]

2007 re-visited ??

[kissTheApex]

Oh great! All this forum needed was another conspiracy theory.

 

EDIT: I have to say, my above post is directed at no one particular. Please don't get me wrong.

Edited by kissTheApex, 02 October 2014 - 23:36.

[Kimble]

Vettel's leaving and he's taking him with him?

[goingthedistance]

If he hasn't been poached by another team it seems like really odd timing to drop your chief mechanic, with just six races to go. Also weird that it was Helmut Marko speaking to the press about it, rather than Horner or Paul Monaghan.

[teejay]

They worked out he has been breaking the wrong car?

[goingthedistance]

Bild article on it, seems to believe he was fired (though later says parting was mutual) and I think if the translation I read is correct it hints at the firing maybe having to do with Kenny turning up to the Singapore GP with stitches and a black eye:

http://www.bild.de/s...92510.bild.html

[KWSN - DSM]

Unless stitches and black eye was from fighting someone in the team how can that have any bearing on his job? Maybe he fell in the shower? Or played tennis.

 

[Afterburner]

He's not at Suzuka. What's this about? Has he been made a scapegoat for Vettels (relatively) lean season?

Not a chance; as has been mentioned already, he and Vettel have a very good relationship. Something else must have happened.

[Brother Fox]

Or even got into a bar fight! Doesn't have any impact on him being able to do his job

[OO7]

Bild article on it, seems to believe he was fired (though later says parting was mutual) and I think if the translation I read is correct it hints at the firing maybe having to do with Kenny turning up to the Singapore GP with stitches and a black eye:

http://www.bild.de/s...92510.bild.html

Does anyone know where Sutil was at the time?

[teejay]

Does anyone know where Sutil was at the time?

 

[ollebompa]

If I'm not mistaken he's the most successful mechanic in F1 history with 11 WCCs.

Edited by ollebompa, 03 October 2014 - 05:55.

[V8 Fireworks]

Moving to McLaren-Honda perhaps? 

 

If I'm not mistaken he's the most successful mechanic in F1 history with 11 WCCs.

 

... as presumably RBR are not so stupid as to fire the best chief mechanic in F1    Someone who can mobilize the troops for the 3am repairs and knows everything about preparing F1 cars etc...

[ollebompa]

Moving to McLaren-Honda perhaps? 

 

 

... as presumably RBR are not so stupid as to fire the best chief mechanic in F1    Someone who can mobilize the troops for the 3am repairs and knows everything about preparing F1 cars etc...

Exactly. Either he has singed for someone else, or something extraordinary has happend.

[macdeezy5950]

They worked out he has been breaking the wrong car?

 

[Kac]

Exactly. Either he has singed for someone else, or something extraordinary has happend.

Like white powder in the fuel?

 

Hmm, let's wait for the official reports. Don't think it'll be something newsworthy eventually though.

[bourbon]

Bild article on it, seems to believe he was fired (though later says parting was mutual) and I think if the translation I read is correct it hints at the firing maybe having to do with Kenny turning up to the Singapore GP with stitches and a black eye:

http://www.bild.de/s...92510.bild.html

 

Sounds like he has personal issues.  Preemptive action on the part of RBR?

[Youichi]

Exactly. Either he has singed for someone else, or something extraordinary has happend.

 

Is he off to Ferrari with Vettel ?  From todays press Conference.

 

 

Q: (Kate Walker - crash.net) Pat, we've heard some stories today about the movement of technical staff from Red Bull, possibly moving to your team. Does this mean that Seb has signed for Ferrari as has been rumoured?

PatFry: Technical team... we have had a few people join in the recent months but in terms of drivers, it's got no link to drivers whatsoever.

[dweller23]

This aligned perfectly with Vettel's departure.

[Disgrace]

Officially denied - now this makes sense.