Red Bull is in the midst of a reorganization phase, while dealing with the departure of some key figures from its staff. The latest, in chronological order, is that of Will Courtenay, the head of strategy, who has decided to leave the team to join McLaren as sporting director. This exit paves the way for a new change within the Austrian team's team, with Hannah Schmitz ready to take the reins of the strategic management of Red Bull races. Schmitz, already known for her contribution to Red Bull's victories, especially in 2022, represents an internal choice to ensure continuity for the Milton Keynes team.
Courtenay's departure and Red Bull's challenge
Will Courtenay is the latest in a series of high-profile figures to leave Red Bull in 2024. Before him, the likes of Rob Marshall, Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley had already packed up to take on new challenges elsewhere. Marshall has strengthened the McLaren team, Newey will join Aston Martin from 2025, while Wheatley will take on the role of team principal at Audi. All of this has led to a delicate moment for Red Bull, with the need to reorganise its structure to continue competing at the highest level.
Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko commented on the situation in an interview with Motorsport total, downplaying concerns over Courtenay's departure: “It’s a natural progression. When you’re that successful, it’s normal for people to be courted by other teams.” The departure of key figures like Courtenay, according to Marko, is part of a process of physiological evolution, typical of a team that has achieved significant results in recent years.
Marko also commented on the process that led to Courtenay's departure, explaining that the financial offer made by Red Bull could not compete with the one put forward by McLaren. "What we offered Will Courtenay was not of interest to him. Then he received an offer for the role of sporting director and it was something more attractive for him, also on an economic level".

Hannah Schmitz to lead strategy in Red Bull
Despite the numerous exits, Red Bull has already identified Courtenay's replacement. It is Hannah Schmitz, a figure already well known within the team, considered the architect of several winning strategies, such as the one that led to the triumph in the 2022 Monaco GP. Helmut Marko confirmed her promotion: "There is already someone with us who can take on that role, and that is Hannah Schmitz". The promotion of the English engineer is perhaps also intended to be a way to ensure the permanence of a prominent figure, in a period in which several teams are "shopping" from Red Bull. Perhaps taking advantage of the many difficulties experienced this season.
Max Verstappen's role as a key element
While Red Bull is going through a period of significant changes, Helmut Marko has stressed that there is only one figure who is truly essential for the team's future: Max Verstappen. “The most important thing of all is that we can keep Max Verstappen with us,” said Marko, highlighting how the presence of the Dutch champion is crucial to keeping Red Bull at the top of Formula 1.
The challenge for the future and the comparison with McLaren
The 2024 season has seen Red Bull lose ground to rivals McLaren, who have taken the lead in the constructors’ championship with their MCL38. The Red Bull RB20 has not shown the same invincibility as in previous seasons, raising doubts about its ability to compete at the highest level against its rivals. Marko stressed the importance of focusing not only on the present, but also on next season: “We need to make sure we can win the world championship this year and build a fast car for next year.”
In this context, retaining talents like Schmitz and Verstappen becomes essential to ensure Red Bull has a chance of recovering lost ground. The challenge is twofold: maintaining a high level of competitiveness and, at the same time, responding to the departures that have destabilized the team.