Max Verstappen has urged Red Bull to “find new talent” and simply “carry on”, as the Milton Keynes-based team continues to navigate a significant period of key staff turnover.
The four-time F1 drivers’ champion struck a measured tone when asked about the upheaval, insisting the team must keep moving forward.
Red Bull’s personnel changes have been one of the more talked-about stories of the past two seasons, with the departures of several high-profile figures.
The exit of design genius Adrian Newey to Aston Martin was the headline act, but more have followed.
Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley left to become team principal at Audi, while head of strategy Will Courtenay went to McLaren as the constructors’ champion’s sporting director. Now, chief engineer Paul Monaghan is expected to leave for a role with fledgling F1 team Cadillac.
Perhaps most notable for Verstappen personally, a number of key members of his own garage crew have also moved on.
Michael Manning, his control engineer and race-start specialist of nearly a decade, moved to Williams, while chief mechanic Matt Caller joined Audi at the end of last season.
Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is also confirmed to be leaving for McLaren, though not until potentially 2028.
Article continues below…
Speaking at the Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked how confident he is that Red Bull can still give him a car capable of fighting at the front amid the ongoing changes in personnel.
“We’re just looking to the future, trying to fix the current issues that we have on the car, but that’s a very open discussion,” Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.
“Sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but, for example, after Silverstone you go home, you reset. On Wednesday, I was back at the factory, and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how we’ve been operating all the years together.
“Of course, some years you’re just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”
Verstappen was clearly frustrated after the British Grand Prix, labelling the rotating rear wing on the RB22 “super dangerous” after it caused him to spin into retirement whilst running third with four laps to go.
However, the Dutchman is remaining level-headed when looking at the wider picture, as Red Bull struggles to find consistent improvement after a difficult start to the campaign.
“People come and go. I think that’s sometimes also part of the process,” he added. “Sometimes you want people to stay, potentially, yes, but I think that’s just how life is and how sport is as well.
“You just have to carry on and try to find new talent. That’s what you also look at all the time, and that’s what we do.”