JUST IN :Red Bull star's promotion DELAYED until 2026 after...

Red Bull star’s promotion DELAYED until 2026 after shock team decision

A Red Bull driver’s promotion has been delayed until 2026 following a surprising decision by the team. The Milton Keynes-based squad made headlines when they announced the departure of Sergio Perez, even though the Mexican driver’s contract was set to run until 2026. This move came as a shock to many, as Perez had been with Red Bull for several seasons and was expected to stay until the end of his deal. In addition to Perez’s exit, the team also confirmed the departure of other key personnel.

Red Bull’s head of aerodynamics, Adrian Newey, and the team’s technical director, Pierre Wheatley, are among those leaving the team to join Aston Martin and Sauber, respectively, in 2025. However, another major change involves Will Courtenay, Red Bull’s strategy chief, who is also set to leave for McLaren. Courtenay, who has been with Red Bull for nearly 20 years, had initially planned to move to McLaren to take up the position of sporting director, but a delay has pushed back his transition.

Despite Courtenay’s plans, McLaren’s acquisition of him has been postponed as Courtenay was unable to reach an agreement for an early release from his Red Bull contract, which runs until 2026. This stands in contrast to the cases of Newey and Wheatley, who were able to negotiate “gardening leave” periods, allowing them to join their new teams immediately. As a result, Courtenay is expected to remain with Red Bull for the entirety of the 2025 season.

This delay not only affects McLaren but also has significant implications for Red Bull’s strategy department. With Courtenay staying at Red Bull, team principal Christian Horner confirmed that strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz will take over as strategy chief when Courtenay eventually leaves. Schmitz, who has been with the team for some time, is seen as an internal candidate for the role, and Horner expressed confidence in her abilities to step up.

Horner also highlighted the importance of Courtenay’s long tenure at Red Bull, describing him as an integral part of the team’s success over the past two decades. He acknowledged that McLaren had offered Courtenay a substantial pay rise and a more senior role, ultimately deciding that it was the right moment for him to pursue the opportunity. At the same time, Horner suggested that Courtenay’s departure could open up new opportunities for Schmitz, whom he noted would have been a prime target for other teams if not promoted internally.

This shift in Red Bull’s strategy department underscores the dynamic changes occurring within the Formula 1 landscape, with teams jockeying for the best talent to secure a competitive edge for the future.