One of Max Verstappen\u2019s most senior pitcrew members has given notice of intent to leave Red Bull to seek out a new challenge.<\/p>\n
Ole Schack has been with the Milton Keynes-based squad since the very first day, but the Danish mechanic is set to leave Red Bull.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen front-end mechanic Ole Schack set for Red Bull exit<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n A veteran of Red Bull, Max Verstappen\u2019s front-end mechanic, Ole Schack, is set to depart Red Bull in the coming months, although PlanetF1.com understands negotiations are continuing around his exact date of departure, as he is said to be pushing for a reduced notice period.<\/p>\n Schack\u2019s time with the squad dates back to even before Red Bull\u2019s purchase of the former Jaguar team, and the Danish mechanic has attended every single Grand Prix since the 2005 Australian Grand Prix \u2013 the very first race under the team\u2019s new moniker.<\/p>\n He has never missed a race, making him the only member of Red Bull\u2019s trackside personnel to have been at every Grand Prix \u2013 only he and former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner could boast perfect attendance over their respective tenures with the squad.<\/p>\n Indeed, the departure of Horner and the resulting changes made to the team are understood to have played a part in Schack\u2019s decision to look elsewhere, with the Dane said to have cited a change in atmosphere and working environment in his desire to start afresh.<\/p>\n Schack appeared on the podium at the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix, accepting the trophy on behalf of the winning constructor. This was after Schack\u2019s father passed away around the time of that year\u2019s Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite this, the mechanic never missed a race and, in recognition of this dedication, was nominated by Horner to appear to collect the accolade in Singapore.<\/p>\n Red Bull<\/a> has gone through a seismic change since the axing of Horner last July, with the connections to the era overseen by Horner and the late company owner Dietrich Mateschitz eroding in the months since.<\/p>\n With Laurent Mekies promoted from Racing Bulls to lead Red Bull\u2019s efforts, the Frenchman reports to Red Bull CEO of Corporate Projects, Oliver Mintzlaff.<\/p>\n The duo made the decision to part ways with former Red Bull Racing director and long-time advisor Helmut Marko, who had been Mateschitz\u2019s right-hand man for over two decades, with the 82-year-old Austrian departing the company over the winter break.<\/p>\n Marko is not the only name to have departed, however. Recently, the team\u2019s chief designer, Craig Skinner, stepped down from his role, while another of Verstappen\u2019s crew, Matt Caller, left over the winter to join the Audi squad.<\/p>\n Jon Caller, who moved across to fill his twin brother\u2019s role on Verstappen\u2019s car, is also understood to have tendered his resignation.<\/p>\n In February, several senior administrative staff also departed the team: Joanna Fleet, the team\u2019s long-time Human Resources director; Julia George, director of partnership; Simon Smith-Wright, group marketing director; and Alice Hedworth, senior communications manager.<\/p>\n More on Red Bull in Formula 1<\/p>\n Helmut Marko still \u2018open and available\u2019 for Red Bull guidance after exit \u2013 Mekies<\/a><\/p>\n Isack Hadjar warns no fix in sight for \u2018terrible\u2019 Red Bull RB22<\/a><\/p>\n Sources with knowledge of the situation suggest that morale at the team\u2019s factory has dipped significantly, not helped by Red Bull slipping back into the midfield after being an established front-runner for over a decade.<\/p>\n At the start of the new regulation cycle, four-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen is yet to get near the podium and, with only 16 points scored in the first three race weekends, Red Bull is fighting with the likes of Alpine and Racing Bulls \u2013 its own sister squad \u2013 over what appears to be fourth place at this early point in the championship.<\/p>\n Speaking in Japan, Isack Hadjar admitted that the feeling within Red Bull at present isn\u2019t strong, as the team bids to find more performance and turn around its slow start to the season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not good,\u201d said Hadjar about the mood.<\/p>\n \u201cBut everyone\u2019s got their heads down to understand what\u2019s going on. Hopefully, the next version of the car really makes an effect. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n