As key figures leave Red Bull one after another, Max Verstappen calls on his team to look to the future.
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Faced with the departure of many major personalities over the past two seasons, Red Bull is going through a period of profound transformations.
While some question the impact of this wave of departures on the team’s future, Max Verstappen prefers to adopt a discourse resolutely focused on the future.
A series of significant departures
Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin was the most emblematic change, but it is far from the only one.
Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has joined Audi as team principal, Will Courtenay has gone to McLaren to take up the position of sporting director, while chief engineer Paul Monaghan is announced to be leaving for Cadillac.
Verstappen’s direct entourage has also been affected.
His control engineer Michael Manning has joined Williams, his chief mechanic Matt Caller has signed with Audi and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will also leave Red Bull for McLaren, although his departure is not expected until 2028.
Keep moving forward
Asked about his confidence in Red Bull despite these many changes, Verstappen was reassuring.
“We are simply looking to the future. We are trying to solve the current problems with the car, and we are discussing them very openly.”
The four-time world champion acknowledges that some races can be frustrating, but he insists on the team’s ability to bounce back.
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“Sometimes you’re a bit disappointed or upset after a race. But after Silverstone, I went home, got my thoughts in order, and then went back to the factory on Wednesday to prepare for the next weekend. That’s how we’ve always operated.”
According to him, despite varying levels of competitiveness from one season to another, the working method remains identical.
“Some years, you’re simply more competitive than others, but in our way of working, nothing really changes.”
“We need to find new talents”
For Verstappen, staff renewal is part of the life of a Formula 1 team.
“People come and go. Sometimes that’s part of the process.”
Even if he admits that some departures can be regrettable, he considers this evolution inevitable.
“Sometimes you’d like certain people to stay, but that’s how life works, and sport too.”
The Dutchman concludes by sending a clear message to his team.
“You just have to keep moving forward and try to find new talents. That’s what we’re constantly looking for, and that’s what we’re doing.”
As Red Bull is still looking to regain consistent progress after a tricky start to the season, Verstappen thus expresses his confidence in the team’s ability to rebuild despite the departure of several emblematic figures.
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