Max Unfazed by Wheatley's Exit, Newey to Follow

Verstappen Cool as Key Figures Depart Red Bull

22/08/2024

Max Verstappen sees no issue as Red Bull faces the loss of key figures Newey and Wheatley.

Max Verstappen has stated it is “normal” for a successful team like Red Bull to lose key personnel to rival teams, amid the impending departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley.

Red Bull’s technical director, Newey, will leave the team in the first quarter of 2025 following an announcement in May.

Meanwhile, Wheatley, the long-serving sporting director of the reigning world champions, was announced during the summer break as the next team director of Sauber / Audi F1 starting in 2025.

However, Verstappen is not concerned that the latest high-profile departure from Red Bull is a sign that the team is in decline.

“We simply focus on on-track performance,” Verstappen responded during the press conference at the Dutch Grand Prix this Thursday.

“Of course, some people have left, others have joined the team, some are announced, others not. I think that’s life in Formula 1, especially when you’ve had a lot of success.”

“It is normal for other teams to try to poach people. It’s not new in Formula 1 anyway. I’m not too worried about it. We just need to stay focused and make sure we have the right people in the right place.”

Regarding Wheatley, who has been tasked with leading Sauber / Audi F1 in 2025, 2026 and beyond, Verstappen has “no hard feelings,” wishing his colleague every success in Hinwil, Switzerland.

“I have an excellent relationship with Jonathan, and it will always be that way.”

“Anyway, he is moving to another team. But it’s a different opportunity for him and also a different role. And yes, sometimes, of course, it’s also good to have a new challenge, isn’t it?”

“So, there are no hard feelings or anything. I’m happy for him. He has this opportunity. Of course, he will be missed by the team. But as a team, we also need to look to the future and move forward.”

“We still have to see how we are going to fill all the roles that Jonathan currently occupies. But I’m also happy for him. It goes both ways. And the team is of course also very grateful for what he has accomplished.”

Max Unfazed by Wheatley’s Exit, Newey to Follow Max Unfazed by Wheatley’s Exit, Newey to Follow

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Chinese GP
21 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025
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21 MAR 03:30 - 04:30
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21 MAR 07:30 - 08:14
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22 MAR 03:00 - 04:00
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22 MAR 07:00 - 08:00
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2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Race Results

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
57
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
+0.895s
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
+8.481s
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
+12.773s
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
+15.135s
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
+17.413s
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
+18.423s
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
+19.826s
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
+20.448s
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
+22.473s
Pierre Gasly
11
PIERRE
GASLY
+26.502s
Yuki Tsunoda
12
YUKI
TSUNODA
+29.884s
Esteban Ocon
13
ESTEBAN
OCON
+33.161s
Oliver Bearman
14
OLIVER
BEARMAN
+40.351s
Liam Lawson
15
LIAM
LAWSON
47 DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto
16
GABRIEL
BORTOLETO
47 DNF
Fernando Alonso
17
FERNANDO
ALONSO
34 DNF
Carlos Sainz
18
CARLOS
SAINZ
0 DNF
Jack Doohan
19
JACK
DOOHAN
0 DNF
Isack Hadjar
20
ISACK
HADJAR
0 DNF
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race
Date
Chinese Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japanese Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Sakhir desert
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
United States Flag
United States
Miami
04 May

2025 FORMULA 1 DRIVERS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
25 Points
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
18
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
15
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
12
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
10
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
8
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
6
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
4
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
2
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
1

2025 FORMULA 1 CONSTRUCTORS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1
McLaren
27
2
Mercedes
25
3
Red Bull
18
4
Williams
12
5
Aston Martin
8
6
Sauber
6
7
Ferrari
5
8
Alpine F1
0
9
Haas F1
0
10
Racing Bulls
0
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