Key Verstappen mechanic set to leave Red Bull amid team uncertainty
Red Bull Racing faces more internal turmoil as Ole Schack, a long-serving mechanic integral to Max Verstappen's championship-winning crew, is set to leave. This departure adds to a wave of senior exits and comes as the team struggles with a uncompetitive car and poor results in the 2026 season, raising questions about stability and Verstappen's future.
Long-serving Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack, a trusted figure in Max Verstappen's garage, has reportedly resigned, marking another departure from the reigning champion's inner circle. This comes as the team grapples with a difficult start to the 2026 season and ongoing internal changes following the exits of other senior personnel.
Why it matters:
The potential loss of a key, long-term team member directly linked to Verstappen's success adds another layer of instability at a critical time. For a driver weighing his future amid the team's performance struggles, the erosion of trusted relationships in his immediate working environment could influence his long-term commitment, impacting Red Bull's ability to rebound.
The details:
- Ole Schack, a mechanic with the team since its Jaguar days in 2005, has handed in his resignation. He has been a fixture on Verstappen's side of the garage throughout the driver's four championship-winning seasons.
- His reported departure follows a series of other high-profile exits, including advisor Helmut Marko, former team principal Christian Horner, and other senior figures like Craig Skinner and lead mechanic Matt Caller.
- The team's on-track performance has sharply declined in 2026, with the new RB22 car suffering from balance issues. Red Bull currently sits sixth in the constructors' championship after three races.
- Verstappen has only scored 12 points, placing him ninth in the drivers' standings—a stark contrast to his recent dominance.
What's next:
Red Bull now faces the dual challenge of stabilizing its internal structure and solving its car's performance problems to prevent a further downward spiral.
- All eyes will be on how the team adapts to this latest change and whether it can restore the confidence and cohesion necessary to climb back up the grid.
- The situation also places a spotlight on Verstappen's patience and his assessment of the team's direction, making his future a central storyline for the remainder of the season.
Don't miss the next lap
Get the deep dives and technical analysis from the world of F1 delivered to your inbox twice a week.
Zero spam. Only high-octane analysis. Unsubscribe anytime.
Join the inner circle
Get the deep dives and technical analysis from the world of F1 delivered to your inbox twice a week.
Zero spam. Only high-octane analysis. Unsubscribe anytime.
