P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has claimed retaining Max Verstappen is the “most important” thing amid the exodus occurring at the F1 team.
McLaren has recently announced the hiring of Red Bull’s Head of Race Strategy, Will Courtenay, who had been with the champions since 2003. Courtenay is under contract with Red Bull until mid-2026, but this move will reunite him with Rob Marshall at McLaren, key to the team’s recent success. The departure of Courtenay from Red Bull is part of a broader trend, with notable figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley also making moves to other teams. The speculation surrounding Max Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull for Mercedes adds to the current turbulence in the team’s hierarchy. Red Bull’s priority remains delivering competitive equipment to retain Verstappen and mount a strong title challenge. Verstappen currently holds a 52-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris heading into the final races of the season.
