Red Bull Racing Faces Major Staff Exodus as Chief Designer Departs
The period of personnel upheaval at the Red Bull Formula 1 team intensified on Tuesday with the departure of chief designer Craig Skinner, who had been with the outfit for two decades. This exit follows a series of high-profile departures from the former constructors' champions, including design guru Adrian Newey and former Team Principal Christian Horner.
Long-Standing Figure Leaves After 20 Years
Skinner had been an integral part of Red Bull Racing's success throughout his twenty-year tenure. The team acknowledged his contributions in an official statement, saying, "Craig has been an integral part of our team and its success, and we would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment. The whole Red Bull team wishes him all the best for the future."
His departure comes at a critical time, just weeks before the opening race of the season in Australia on March 8. According to Formula 1 sources, Skinner's role is expected to be filled internally on an interim basis, but the timing raises questions about team stability ahead of the new campaign.
Broader Pattern of Key Departures
Skinner's exit is part of a broader pattern of personnel changes at Red Bull Racing. The team is entering its first full season without Christian Horner, who left amid controversies including disagreements with Jos Verstappen—father of former Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen—and allegations of inappropriate behavior, which Horner has consistently denied.
Other significant departures in recent months include:
- Helmut Marko: The motorsport advisor announced his departure in December of last year.
- Jonathan Wheatley: The former sporting director left the team at the end of 2024.
- Will Courtenay: The former head of strategy joined McLaren last year.
- Rob Marshall: The chief engineering officer also departed in recent seasons.
Potential Return of Horner and Team Performance
Despite his exit, Christian Horner might return to the Formula 1 paddock sooner than expected. Recent reports suggest he is in discussions with Pimco—which counts former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown as chair of its global advisory board—to purchase a £450 million stake in the French team Alpine.
On the track, Red Bull Racing showed a resurgent spirit in the second half of last season after starting the year significantly behind eventual champions McLaren. This improvement highlights the team's resilience amid ongoing internal changes, but the continued staff exodus poses challenges for maintaining competitive momentum.
The departure of Craig Skinner underscores the significant transformation within Red Bull Racing's leadership and design teams. As the new season approaches, the team must navigate these changes while aiming to build on last year's late-season performance and address the void left by experienced figures like Skinner.
