Max Verstappen’s chief mechanic set to ditch Red Bull for “the other end of the pit-lane”

Red Bull has been in the limelight for varied reasons during the ongoing 2024 F1 season.

Max Verstappen’s chief mechanic set to ditch Red Bull for “the other end of the pit-lane”

Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen and Christian Horner (Via: IMAGO)

Amidst the Red Bull saga, its chief mechanic has made the decision to part ways with the team. Lee Stevenson has been part of Red Bull for the past 18 years. The news about his decision to leave came after the Australian GP, the reason is still unknown. All that the media knows at the moment is that Stevenson is going to join the team at the other end of the pit lane. 

Stevenson has contributed significantly to the Austrian outfit during Max Verstappen‘s 56 victories and three world championships. At the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix, he assisted in fixing Verstappen’s damaged suspension, which helped him finish on the podium.

YouTube video

On 28th of March 2024, Stevenson posted the following on his Instagram account.

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2006 - 2024. @redbullracing it’s been an amazing ride, thank you so much. It’s been an incredible journey and one that I’m very proud of. What we’ve achieved has been monumental and something I would never of fathomed in 2006. This is the end of part A, part B of my life starts on Monday. Thank you all once again. From Monday, I start working with the team that is at the other end of the pit lane.
Lee Stevenson via Instagram

In his Instagram post, Stevenson hinted at his move to another team on the other side of the pitlane, as he marked his last day with Red Bull yesterday. Another key figure for Max Verstappen has parted ways with the team after his personal trainer, Bradley Scanes, left last year. Whether it’s just a coincidence or has something to do with the ongoing unrest within the team is still unknown. 

Guenther Steiner deems Mercedes as Max Verstappen’s first choice in case of Red Bull’s departure

With the ongoing unrest at Red Bull, there have been many speculations regarding the reigning world champion’s possible move to Mercedes. Red Bull, at the moment, is surrounded by controversy and is in the middle of internal politics and a power struggle.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen ( Image via IMAGO)

If Max Verstappen were to move to any other team, his first preference would be Mercedes, according to the former Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner. 

I think everyone in Formula 1 at the moment is interested in Max Verstappen. It's more about where he wants to go. It could be Mercedes, who obviously have got a free seat with Lewis going to Ferrari. Aston Martin as well is a possibility, but I think if Max goes somewhere, I guess he would go to Mercedes.
Guenther Steiner via: Sky sports

Despite Verstappen recently making it clear that he is going to stay with Red Bull till the end of his current contract, there is still a window of possibility that the growing unrest might force the Dutchman to move away from the Austrian outfit. Performance-wise, Red Bull is the perfect place for Verstappen as the team has proved too mighty under the current set of F1 regulations.

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