Verstappen Addresses Recent Departure Of His Chief Mechanic

Sunday, 07 April 2024 at 02:00

Max Verstappen has to get used to seeing a one-less familiar face in the Red Bull garage after the recent departure of his chief mechanic.

Formula One is a rapidly evolving sport, and as Lewis Hamilton's recent move to Ferrari showed, things can change in a second, and that's why the teams on the F1 grid often look differently every season.

With limited talent in a very specific field, few people could excel in Formula One, whether as a driver, team principal, mechanic, or engineer.

Therefore, it's not surprising that when someone makes a career change, it's from one F1 team to another, and that was the case also with Red Bull's chief mechanic, Leroy Stevenson, who recently departed the team.

After qualifying first for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, Verstappen was asked about Stevenson's departure, as he had been with him since joining the team.

"I have a very good relationship with Leroy already from my start at Red Bull from 2016 onwards. And he was my number one, I think, until the end of 2020, if I'm not mistaken. Yeah, it's been a while. We've had a few good years."

Although Stevenson changed quite a few role over the years, he was still in a relatively close contact to Verstappen, and that's why his departure will be certainly felt by the Dutch driver.

"And then he moved into a bit of a different role where I think initially was a bit more based at the factory. Then he came back to the track and a bit more like sharing duties as a chief mechanic."

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Still, Verstappen is aware that while the two may have a good relationship also on a personal level, they got to know each other because of their profession, and since Stevenson got an offer he wanted to accept, the Dutchman respects his decision.

"And then he got a great opportunity at Sauber, and I don't blame him for trying something new. Yeah, I mean, we're still good friends. We have shared a lot of great moments together."

"And yeah, sometimes in life, you get opportunities and you maybe go a bit out of your comfort zone. You try something new. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back, right? So, so good."