Red Bull Racing has been grappling with a so-called ‘exodus’ for several months. Since Adrian Newey announced his departure in early May, several key figures have packed their bags. Notable departures include Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley and Chief Strategist Will Courtenay. Three-time champion Max Verstappen is witnessing his team slowly disintegrate, but emphasizes that he ‘cannot force anyone to stay’.
“As I’ve always said, I would have preferred if everyone had stayed, but ultimately you can’t stop people,” he said after the Singapore GP. “If they feel they’re no longer getting what they want here, then it might be better for them to seek a new challenge elsewhere, even though it would have been better for the team if everything had stayed the same.”
“It’s always been the case with successful teams; over time, the competition begins to pick them apart,” Verstappen explained. “You see this in every sport. And some people get such big offers from other teams that it also plays a role.” Was he referring to Adrian Newey, who was instrumental in the creation of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team? The master designer agreed to a massive contract with Aston Martin in September.
The Importance of Teamwork
Despite recent challenges, Max Verstappen remains confident that Red Bull has sufficient expertise to remain competitive. He highlighted Technical Director Pierre Waché, the likely successor to Adrian Newey, as one of the key players in the future. “Pierre (Waché) and I talk a lot,” said the Dutch driver. “He is very motivated and I enjoy being involved in the development of the car.”
However, experts are questioning whether Red Bull can maintain its top position. The recent lack of performance has meant that Verstappen has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix. Furthermore, McLaren is now leading in the constructors’ championship. “Things are moving in the right direction,” Verstappen assured. “I have confidence in the people knowing what they are doing, they have already shown that. In the end, it’s not two or three people who make the difference, it’s about the collective.”
