Another significant departure at Red Bull is on the horizon as the situation worsens.
"The downturn of Red Bull is quite unfortunate."
Another significant exit may be on the horizon for Red Bull, as the team's well-known internal turmoil shows no signs of abating. According to f1-insider.com, referencing former mechanic Kenny Handkammer, longtime chief strategist Hannah Schmitz might be the next prominent figure to depart from Milton Keynes.
"The downturn of Red Bull is quite unfortunate," Handkammer expressed in his podcast. "If I were CEO, I would closely examine this situation – many key individuals have left or are planning to leave."
"It appears that Hannah Schmitz may also exit. There are indications that more departures could follow." Schmitz, recognized as one of the sharpest strategists in Formula 1, has played a vital role in Red Bull’s achievements, with even Max Verstappen having lauded her composed decision-making during races.
Her potential departure would contribute to an increasing roster of significant exits, including Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall, Dr. Helmut Marko, and possibly Gianpiero Lambiase in the future. The ongoing loss of experienced personnel has sparked new worries about the team’s stability, especially with Verstappen’s future remaining a topic of speculation.
Simultaneously, questions have been raised regarding the technical direction under Pierre Wache following a challenging start to the 2026 season. Nonetheless, Christijan Albers advocates for patience.
"I’ve always had my reservations about Wache," the former F1 driver remarked to De Telegraaf. "But looking back at last year, one must be truthful. There has been a significant resurgence under Wache’s leadership, which reflects his quality."
Albers further stated that the team’s challenges cannot be attributed to any one person. "Laurent (Mekies) now needs to build the team. The most crucial aspect is for the media to foster a calm atmosphere. They shouldn’t rush things and should allow the team the opportunity to develop again."
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