With all the successes of recent years, Red Bull Racing was like a magnet. Talented engineers wanted to work for the Austrian outfit, where people like Adrian Newey and Max Verstappen delivered one trophy after another.

But for a couple of seasons now, Red Bull has no longer been the employer everyone absolutely wants to work for. First there was internal unrest, after which figures like Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and Christian Horner departed for various reasons.

Now there’s also a pull on the people just below that top tier. In itself, that’s not strange, because other teams naturally want to bring those bright minds from Red Bull into their own organizations.

More striking is that Red Bull staff are actually contemplating a farewell to the once all-conquering team, and in some cases are indeed moving on. Not even to the absolute top, but to Williams and Audi — as some of Verstappen’s loyal mechanics are doing.

Undoubtedly they earn a better salary with their new employer than at Red Bull, but money shouldn’t have to be a problem for the Austrians. Then there’s the ambition factor: why would you want to work for Williams or Audi if you’re at Red Bull?

That’s a question Red Bull Racing’s remaining leadership needs to ask out loud: Why do these people actually want to leave? Do they perhaps see a better long-term outlook at other teams? Do they fear a sporting decline for Red Bull?

Gianpiero Lambiase may also be on his way out, now that - as rumored - McLaren, Aston Martin, and once again Williams are vying for him. It’s understandable that the Brit would be considering McLaren — currently the best team, if the story is true. But Aston Martin and Williams are certainly not as strong as Red Bull. So, salary aside, this is something Red Bull should be thinking long and hard about.