Red Bull Faces Challenges with Chief Strategist’s Departure

Will Courtenay is leaving Red Bull Racing.

There hasn’t been an official announcement yet, but he’s set to join McLaren by mid-2026 at the latest.

Courtenay praised within Red Bull

Courtenay has been a key figure at Red Bull for 20 years, making crucial decisions that have led to many victories for Max Verstappen. His experience and knowledge of the team are unmatched. He worked closely with Hannah Schmitz, forming a strong strategy duo. Now, Schmitz will have to manage without him, which might be challenging.

Fans might wonder how this change will affect Red Bull’s performance.

McLaren is thrilled about Courtenay joining as their new sporting director. They believe he can help improve their strategy department, which showed weaknesses in 2024. Plus, McLaren gets stronger while making one of its main rivals weaker.

Red Bull hasn’t commented on Courtenay’s departure yet. McLaren hopes they can get him on board sooner than mid-2026, but it’s unlikely Red Bull will agree to that.

What do you think about this move?

Albert Ramirez
Albert Ramirez
Albert Ramirez is a senior writer at F1Highlights.com. With a passion for motorsports, Albert brings a unique perspective to the world of Formula One. With over five years of experience as a sports reporter, he has honed his skills in capturing the essence of the sport.

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