Jonas Leo
Milton Keynes, UK – Craig Skinner, a veteran chief designer instrumental in Red Bull Racing’s recent Formula 1 dominance, has departed the team, Motorsport.com has confirmed. His exit marks another high-profile change within the championship-winning outfit as it navigates a period of significant internal transformation following a string of key personnel departures.
Skinner’s tenure at Red Bull Racing spanned nearly two decades, beginning in 2006. He was a pivotal figure in the engineering department, rising through the ranks to become Chief Designer in 2022. In this critical role, he worked closely with legendary designer Adrian Newey and Technical Director Pierre Waché, contributing directly to the design and development of the cars that propelled Max Verstappen to four consecutive Drivers’ World Championships from 2021 to 2024. His contributions were particularly crucial during Red Bull’s most recent era of ascendancy, where the team secured an unprecedented run of victories, establishing a firm grip on both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.
An engineering graduate from the University of Glasgow, Skinner joined Red Bull Racing at the dawn of a new era for the team, coinciding with Adrian Newey’s arrival. He initially served as a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) engineer, a foundational role in modern Formula 1 aerodynamics, before advancing to more senior positions within the aerodynamics department. His deep understanding of airflow and vehicle dynamics was a cornerstone of Red Bull’s design philosophy, which has consistently produced aerodynamically efficient and highly competitive cars. After a four-year stint as Chief of Aerodynamics, a role demanding meticulous attention to detail and innovative thinking, he transitioned to the Chief Designer position, where his oversight extended across the entire vehicle concept.
The departure of a chief designer, a role central to a Formula 1 team’s identity and performance, is rarely insignificant. The chief designer is responsible for translating the technical director’s vision and the aerodynamicists’ concepts into a tangible race car, overseeing the integration of all components and ensuring compliance with complex regulations while pushing the boundaries of performance. Skinner’s long-standing experience and intimate knowledge of Red Bull’s design philosophy are invaluable assets that the team will now need to replace.
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While Red Bull has confirmed Skinner’s exit, the team has indicated that his departure is not thought to be directly connected to the specific circumstances surrounding other recent high-profile exits. However, it undeniably adds to a growing list of significant personnel changes that have marked Red Bull Racing in recent times. This trend has led to speculation within the paddock regarding the long-term stability and leadership structure of the dominant team.
Earlier this year, the Formula 1 world was rocked by the announcement of Adrian Newey’s impending departure. Newey, widely regarded as the sport’s greatest car designer, confirmed he would leave Red Bull Racing in early 2025 after an illustrious career that saw him design multiple championship-winning cars for Williams, McLaren, and crucially, Red Bull. His move to Aston Martin is considered one of the biggest personnel shifts in recent F1 history, raising questions about Red Bull’s future technical direction without his creative genius.
Skinner’s exit follows a succession of other senior technical and sporting staff members leaving the Milton Keynes operation. Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, a respected figure with extensive experience in race operations and strategy, is reportedly set to join Audi’s nascent Formula 1 project. Additionally, Chief Strategist Will Courtenay, a key architect of Red Bull’s race-winning tactics, has moved to McLaren, a direct competitor. These departures, coupled with a period of internal scrutiny and high-profile changes earlier in the year involving Team Principal Christian Horner, paint a picture of a team undergoing considerable restructuring behind the scenes.
The cumulative effect of losing such experienced and integral personnel could present a significant challenge for Red Bull Racing. While the team possesses a deep bench of talent, the departure of individuals who have been central to their success for extended periods can disrupt continuity, institutional knowledge, and established working relationships. Rivals will undoubtedly be observing these developments closely, hoping that the changes could create an opening in the competitive landscape.
Despite these internal shifts, Red Bull Racing remains focused on the future, particularly the significant regulatory changes slated for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The team has been investing heavily in its Red Bull Powertrains division, collaborating with Ford to develop its first-ever in-house power unit. This ambitious project aims to secure Red Bull’s long-term independence and competitiveness in the hybrid engine era. Early indications from pre-season testing for the 2026 regulations have been cautiously optimistic. Reports suggest that the new Red Bull power unit, despite being a nascent project, has defied some expectations, drawing praise from competitors, including Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, for its efficient electric energy deployment. This technological achievement underscores the Milton Keynes team’s engineering prowess, even amidst organizational changes.
However, the transition to the 2026 regulations is not without its critics. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, while acknowledging the immense effort from the team at the Milton Keynes campus, has publicly voiced his reservations about the incoming rules. He has described the forthcoming cars as "anti-racing" and "not fun" to drive, primarily due to the increased emphasis drivers will need to place on harvesting electric energy during races. These comments highlight the ongoing debate within the sport about balancing technological innovation with compelling on-track action.
Red Bull Racing has achieved remarkable success in recent seasons, securing eight Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ Championships since its inception in 2005. The period from 2021 to 2024, in particular, saw an unprecedented level of dominance, with Verstappen securing 40 victories in the last three full seasons (2022-2024), culminating in the 2024 season which saw Red Bull clinch their third consecutive Constructors’ title alongside Verstappen’s fourth consecutive drivers’ crown. Skinner’s contribution to this era of unparalleled success is undeniable. As the team moves forward, the challenge will be to maintain this competitive edge while integrating new talent and adapting to a rapidly evolving technical and personnel landscape. The coming seasons will reveal how Red Bull Racing navigates this period of significant transition and whether its deep-seated culture of innovation can sustain its position at the pinnacle of Formula 1.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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