Red Bull faces major departures but Laurent Mekies insists the technical structure remains strong
The departure of key personnel has become one of the most sensitive and heavily discussed topics surrounding Red Bull Racing in recent years. The decision by Gianpiero Lambiase — Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer and one of the most recognizable figures inside the garage — to join McLaren in 2028 as Chief Racing Officer is simply the latest chapter in the gradual reshaping of Red Bull’s technical organization at Milton Keynes.
This latest exit arrives within a broader context already marked by the departures of several high-profile names, including Rob Marshall, Will Courtenay, Jonathan Wheatley and, above all, Adrian Newey. The legendary designer’s move to Aston Martin represented a particularly symbolic moment after playing such a decisive role in building Red Bull’s dominant Formula 1 era.
Despite the enormous weight carried by these departures, new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has adopted a very clear communication strategy: no panic, no alarmism.
The French manager stressed that losing highly regarded talent is almost an inevitable consequence for a Formula 1 organization that continues to be viewed as one of the strongest and most attractive technical destinations in the entire paddock.
According to Laurent Mekies, the key challenge is not preventing every single departure, but rather building a structure capable of constantly regenerating itself through internal promotion, staff development and the targeted recruitment of new expertise.
Laurent Mekies believes Red Bull’s internal structure remains deep and competitive
While discussing the situation surrounding Gianpiero Lambiase’s future move to McLaren, Laurent Mekies reiterated his confidence in the organizational depth of the Milton Keynes-based operation. He emphasized that Red Bull still believes it possesses elite-level personnel across every technical department.
Particular attention was given to Ben Waterhouse on the power unit side and Pierre Waché within the chassis department, two figures considered central to the evolution of the team over the coming years and especially crucial for Formula 1’s next major regulatory cycle. The broader philosophy behind Laurent Mekies’ comments is that Red Bull does not want to depend exclusively on individual star names — regardless of how prestigious they may be — but rather on a system capable of continuously producing new technical leaders from within.
The French team principal strongly emphasized the importance of internal promotion as one of the core principles of the Red Bull project. In modern Formula 1, where engineering and technical markets have become almost as aggressive and competitive as the driver market itself, maintaining a healthy internal pipeline is increasingly essential.
Top Formula 1 teams are now fighting for strategic technical expertise with ever-larger contracts and increasingly influential managerial roles. Engineers and senior technical staff have become just as valuable as star drivers in shaping the competitive balance of the sport.
Red Bull still ready to recruit externally if needed
Although Laurent Mekies strongly defended Red Bull’s strategy of developing talent internally, he also made it clear that the team remains open to recruiting key figures from rival organizations whenever necessary.
The former Ferrari sporting director explained that if specific expertise is required, Red Bull will have no hesitation about entering the technical market aggressively to secure the right people.
That philosophy can already be seen both in the expanded responsibilities being given to Ben Waterhouse and in the expected arrival of Andrea Landi from Racing Bulls. These moves highlight how the wider Red Bull group is attempting to reorganize its technical chain while maintaining strong integration between the various teams connected to the project.
Inside Milton Keynes, there appears to be full awareness of the importance of the current transitional phase. Red Bull is simultaneously dealing with the loss of symbolic figures, the switch toward new in-house power units being developed alongside Ford, and a 2026 Formula 1 season that has started below expectations. After the opening four races of the championship, Red Bull sits only fourth in the constructors’ standings behind Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. That situation has inevitably fueled growing questions regarding the medium-term technical strength and long-term stability of the project.
The competitive picture is very different from the absolute dominance Red Bull enjoyed in previous seasons, and any signs of instability naturally attract intense scrutiny across the Formula 1 paddock.
Why Red Bull remains one of Formula 1’s most attractive destinations
Yet despite the difficult start to the season and the long list of high-profile departures, Red Bull continues to be viewed internally and externally as one of the most desirable destinations in Formula 1.
And that is likely the main message Laurent Mekies wanted to send.
According to the French manager, the real strength of Red Bull does not lie solely in the famous names that may leave the organization, but rather in the structure’s ability to continue attracting, developing and regenerating elite-level technical talent year after year. In many ways, Red Bull’s next major challenge will not simply be replacing figures like Adrian Newey or Gianpiero Lambiase individually. Instead, it will be proving that the overall system at Milton Keynes remains strong enough to continue competing for Formula 1 world championships regardless of personnel changes.
The coming seasons — particularly with the arrival of Formula 1’s new engine regulations and Red Bull’s ambitious Ford-backed power unit project — will ultimately determine whether that confidence is fully justified.
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