Mercedes F1 welcomes former Red Bull COO as special advisor

Mercedes has hired former Red Bull COO and HR director Jayne Poole as a new special advisor. Poole’s role is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current infrastructure at Mercedes and offer advice on where improvements could be made. Mercedes’ move to hire Poole comes as the German manufacturer continues its efforts to return to the front in F1.

Poole’s Contribution

Mercedes F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff has praised the input that Poole has made, which has included “forensic profiles” of the best targets in the paddock. Wolff acknowledges that Poole’s role at Red Bull was a very large part of the success of the team over the last years. Poole’s expertise in psychology and her knowledge of the Formula 1 industry has been instrumental in her contribution to Mercedes. Poole has created profiles of all the good people in Formula 1, and having her eyes is a significant advantage to the organization.

Importance of Outsiders

While Wolff helped guide Mercedes to eight consecutive F1 world title doubles, he said getting outsiders, like Poole, into the team was essential to help it adapt and thrive. Wolff believes that from time to time, even in a successful organization, you need to parachute good external people in because they help you do the next step. An organization cannot solely rely on its internal processes and strategies. You need to consider whether yesterday’s assumptions are still competitive enough going forward. Therefore, having somebody come in with fresh eyes, looking at it in a very neutral way, is beneficial.

Mercedes’ move to hire Jayne Poole as a new special advisor is a significant development for the team as they continue to improve their performance in Formula 1. Poole’s expertise and knowledge of the industry will help Mercedes evaluate their current infrastructure and identify areas for improvement. The move also highlights the importance of bringing in outsiders to help organizations adapt and thrive. Mercedes’ Team Principal, Toto Wolff, believes that this step is essential to remain competitive in the sport.