Red Bull's Mintzlaff: Major Overhaul Will Make Team 'Better'

Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has publicly dismissed concerns surrounding a wave of high-profile departures from the team, framing the overhaul as a necessary catalyst for improvement. Despite the exits of key figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, Mintzlaff insists the changes are being managed properly and will ultimately make the team stronger. The comments come as Red Bull aims to halt a performance slide that began midway through the 2024 season.

Why it matters:

The departures represent a significant brain drain from a team that has dominated the hybrid era. Adrian Newey, the architect of Red Bull's championship-winning cars, is leaving for Aston Martin, while sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is set to become Audi's team principal. This period of massive transition follows a noticeable dip in form, raising questions about whether the team can maintain its competitive edge or if it will cede ground to resurgent rivals like McLaren and Ferrari.

The details:

• Mintzlaff told De Telegraaf he is "not worried" because he knows "we're replacing all those people properly."
• He expressed a personal preference for change, stating, "I like it. Because I know it makes us better. And yes, you just have to step out of your comfort zone for a bit."
• The decision for a major shakeup was not made lightly. Mintzlaff revealed that the team identified a negative trend in performance last year.
  • "Last year we already saw things were going a bit wrong," he said. "Then you give the people in charge the chance to turn things around this year... But last July was the moment to do what we did."
• The overhaul follows a season where Max Verstappen's early dominance was challenged, with McLaren closing the gap significantly and winning the constructors' championship.

What's next:

The ultimate test of this strategy will be on the track in 2025 and beyond. Red Bull's ability to identify and integrate talent capable of filling the void left by Newey and others will be under intense scrutiny. All eyes will be on the team's development under its new technical leadership, as they must not only recover lost performance but also prepare for the massive new regulations set for 2026. If Mintzlaff's gamble pays off, Red Bull could emerge more resilient; if not, the team risks a prolonged period fighting to return to the front.