BREAKING:Max Verstappen ally joins forces with F1 rival… Read more
A notable shift has occurred in the Formula 1 paddock as Lee Stevenson, a long-time ally of Max Verstappen, has departed Red Bull Racing to join rival team Stake F1 (formerly Alfa Romeo). Stevenson, who served as Red Bull’s chief mechanic for 15 years, played a pivotal role in Verstappen’s success, including his multiple World Championship titles. His move to Stake F1 is part of the team’s broader strategy to strengthen its operations ahead of its transformation into the Audi works team in 2026.
Stake F1’s team representative, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, emphasized the significance of Stevenson’s addition, stating, “We said we wanted to start a transformation process. We want to become a competitive team and to do this you need the top people from the top teams in every area.” Stevenson has already begun integrating into the team, attending races and familiarizing himself with Stake F1’s procedures.
This development is part of a larger trend of personnel changes within Red Bull Racing. Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s legendary chief technical officer, is set to join Aston Martin in March 2025. Additionally, Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, reportedly resisted offers from rival teams, choosing to remain with Red Bull.
These shifts have fueled speculation about Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. Despite being contracted through 2028, rumors suggest that his father, Jos Verstappen, has a “handshake deal” with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, potentially paving the way for a move in 2026.
As the 2025 season progresses, the departure of key allies like Stevenson and Newey, coupled with ongoing rumors, may influence Verstappen’s decisions regarding his long-term association with Red Bull Racing.
