Max Verstappen has said it’s “normal” for a successful team like Red Bull to lose key personnel to rival outfits, amid the forthcoming departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley.
Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer Newey will depart the Red Bull outfit in the first quarter of 2025 following an announcement in May.
Wheatley meanwhile, the reigning World Champion’s long-serving Sporting Director was announced in July as Sauber’s next Team Principal starting in 2025.
Still, Verstappen isn’t concerned that the most recent high-profile departure from Red Bull is a sign the team is on a downward ebb.
“We just focus on the performance on track,” Verstappen told select media including Motorsport Week during Thursday’s Dutch Grand Prix press conference.
“Of course, some people have been leaving, some people have been joining, some get announced, some don’t.
“That’s I think life in Formula 1, especially when you have been very successful.
“It’s normal that other teams try to steal people away. It’s not new to Formula 1 anyway. I’m not too worried about it.
“We just need to stay focused and make sure that we have the right people at the right place.”
Regarding Wheatley, who has been tasked with leading Sauber into its Audi tenure through 2025, ’26 and beyond, Verstappen holds “no hard feelings,” wishing his colleague every success in Hinwil, Switzerland.
“I have a great relationship with Jonathan and it always will be like that,” Verstappen said.
“Anyway, of course, he’s moving to a different team. But it’s a different opportunity for him and also a different role. And yeah, sometimes, of course, it’s also a bit of a new challenge, right?
“So there are no hard feelings or whatever. I’m happy for him. He gets that opportunity. Of course, he will be missed within the team.
“But, of course, as a team, you also have to look at the future and move on from that.
“We still have to see how we’re going to fill in all the roles that Jonathan currently has. But I’m also happy for him. It goes both ways. And the team is, of course, also very thankful for what he has delivered.”
Despite Verstappen’s lack of concern, Red Bull has already conceded the incredible advantage it has held in recent years.
Red Bull has been the dominant force during the current ground effect regulation cycle, winning both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles in 2022 and ’23 with ease.
Those successes have of course been a whole team effort by the men and women at Milton Keynes, but Newey and Wheatley are notable figureheads in the squad that has failed to win in the last four GPs amid a resurgence by Red Bull’s rivals.
The imperative for Red Bull is that it can maintain its now slight advantage over the competition in light of Newey and Wheatley heading for pastures new in 2025.
