The Milton Keynes-based team, which has created its own engine division following Honda ‘s exit from Formula 1, last year announced several high-profile signings from Mercedes.
In April, it was reported that Hodgkinson would be the new technical director, but it was unclear when he might join as he was still working at the Mercedes team’s own power unit factory.
With tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes running high over the last campaign as a result of the intense title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, it seemed unlikely that a deal would be struck to speed things up.
However, on Friday, both Mercedes and Red Bull announced that Hodgkinson could start working with the energy drink team in May this year after reaching a mutual agreement.
A brief joint statement read: “Mercedes F1 and Red Bull F1 have today reached an agreement regarding the hiring of Ben Hodgkinson.
“Under the terms of that agreement, Ben, who joined Mercedes in August 2001, will be free to join Red Bull Powertrains from May 24, 2022.”
Hodgkinson had been head of mechanical engineering at Mercedes High Performance Powertrains since 2017, having worked at the German manufacturer’s Brixworth headquarters for 20 years.
At the time of his signing, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “We are delighted to welcome Ben to Red Bull Powertrains as technical director. He comes to this exciting project as a proven race winner and as an innovator capable of leading a team of highly qualified engineers”.
Hodgkinson was not the only member of the Mercedes team that Red Bull hired, as five other members were announced last year.
Mercedes manufacturing boss Steve Blewett will become Red Bull’s head of power unit production, while Omid Mostaghimi , Mercedes’ F1 electronics team boss, will be the new head of powertrains, electronics. and Red Bull ERS.
Pip Clode , who is the head of Mercedes’ F1 power unit concept team, will also become Red Bull’s head of ERS mechanical design.
Anton Mayo , director of the Mercedes engineering team, will become chief designer of the ICE power unit, while Steve Brodie , Mercedes’ track and final inspection boss in F1, will become director of the ICE operations group. from Red Bull.
