Verstappen after chief mechanic leaves: 'I don't blame him'

The race weekend in Japan will be the first Grand Prix where Lee Stevenson does not take a seat in the Red Bull garage. The now former chief mechanic at the Austrian racing stable has made the move to Stake F1 Team, the team that will become Audi in two years. Max Verstappen talks about Stevenson's departure after qualifying.

In total, Stevenson worked at Red Bull Racing for no less than 18 years. He was Verstappen's first mechanic for many years, before joining as Support Team Chief Mechanic in 2020. In 2023, he was promoted to chief mechanic of the Austrian team.

In the years Stevenson worked for Red Bull Racing, he achieved many successes with the team. These included Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen winning seven combined world championships and the team also winning the constructors' championship six times.

Verstappen on Stevenson's departure

Verstappen says of the departed chief mechanic: "I have a very good relationship with Leroy already from my start at Red Bull from 2016 onwards, and he was my number one [mechanic] until the end of 2020 if I'm not mistaken. It's been a while. We've had a few good years, and then he moved into a bit of a different role where I think an issue was a bit more based at the factory, then he came back to the track and a bit more sharing duties as a chief mechanic."

The Dutchman continued: "Then he got a great opportunity at Sauber, and I don't blame him for trying something. We have shared a lot of great moments together, and sometimes in life you get opportunities, and you maybe go a bit out of your comfort zone, you try something new, and if it doesn't work out, you can always come back."