Red Bull Racing Faces Continued Upheaval with Chief Designer Departure

Tuesday 17 February 2026 6:00 pm | Updated: Tuesday 17 February 2026 4:20 pm

The period of personnel changes continues at the Red Bull Formula 1 team with the departure of chief designer Craig Skinner. Skinner had been with the team for 20 years, and his exit follows those of design guru Adrian Newey and former Team Principal Christian Horner, both of whom left after lengthy tenures with the former constructors’ champions.

“Craig has been an integral part of our team and its success,” Red Bull stated, “and we would like to thank him for his hard function and commitment. The whole Red Bull team wishes him all the best for the future.”

The team is navigating its first full season without Horner, who departed following a series of issues, including disagreements with Jos Verstappen – father of former Formula 1 champion Max – and accusations of inappropriate behavior, which he has consistently denied. Formula 1 reports that Skinner’s role will be filled internally for the time being, just weeks before the season-opening race in Australia on March 8.

Horner may return to the paddock soon, with reports indicating he is in discussions with Pimco – whose global advisory board is chaired by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown – to acquire a £450m stake in the French team Alpine.

Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko announced his departure in December, and former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley left at the end of 2024. Will Courtenay, formerly head of strategy, joined McLaren last year, and chief engineering officer Rob Marshall also left in recent seasons.

Red Bull demonstrated improved performance in the latter half of the previous season after initially trailing eventual champions McLaren.

Today, February 17, 2026, also marks the Lunar New Year.