Red Bull Racing has confirmed the departure of chief designer Craig Skinner, marking another significant exit from the Milton Keynes squad’s technical leadership. Skinner, who played a crucial role in the team’s dominant run that delivered four consecutive world championships for Max Verstappen between 2021 and 2024, has moved on from his position after nearly two decades with the organisation. The departure follows a series of high-profile personnel changes at Red Bull, though sources indicate Skinner’s exit is unrelated to previous controversies within the team.
Nearly two decades of service comes to an end
Skinner’s journey with Red Bull Racing began in 2006, the same year that design legend Adrian Newey joined the organisation. Initially hired as a computational fluid dynamics engineer, the University of Glasgow graduate quickly established himself within the aerodynamics department. His technical acumen and innovative approach saw him rise through the ranks during Red Bull’s first golden era, when Sebastian Vettel claimed four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013.
The Scottish engineer’s progression continued steadily, and he eventually took charge of the entire aerodynamics department. In this capacity, he oversaw the development of the revolutionary concepts that would later underpin Red Bull’s second period of dominance. His appointment as chief of aerodynamics in 2018 positioned him at the heart of the technical operation, working alongside Newey and technical director Pierre Wache to shape the team’s design philosophy.
Stepping into the chief designer role during domination
The 2022 season marked a pivotal moment in Skinner’s career when he assumed the chief designer position. This promotion came at the start of Formula 1’s ground-effect era, a regulatory revolution that would test every team’s technical capabilities. Working in close collaboration with Newey and Wache, Skinner helped create the RB18, a car that immediately established Red Bull’s supremacy under the new regulations.
The success continued with the RB19, widely regarded as one of the most dominant machines in F1 history. Max Verstappen won 19 of 22 races in 2023, shattering records and securing his third world championship with several rounds to spare. The RB20 maintained that competitive edge through 2024, delivering Verstappen’s fourth consecutive title and cementing Skinner’s legacy as a key architect of Red Bull’s modern success.
His technical leadership extended beyond pure aerodynamic performance. Skinner’s role encompassed integrating mechanical systems, managing packaging constraints, and ensuring the design department worked seamlessly with other technical divisions. Colleagues describe him as methodical and detail-oriented, qualities that proved essential during the intense development battles of recent seasons.
Part of a broader exodus of senior personnel
Skinner’s departure continues a pattern of high-profile exits from Red Bull’s technical and management structure. Adrian Newey, the team’s legendary chief technical officer, announced his move to Aston Martin last year and has now officially joined the Silverstone squad. The loss of Newey represented a seismic shift for Red Bull, given his instrumental role in every championship-winning car the team has produced.
Former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has taken up the role of team principal at Audi’s F1 operation ahead of their 2026 entry. Chief strategist Will Courtenay departed for McLaren, taking his race-day expertise to Red Bull’s closest competitor in recent seasons. These exits have fundamentally reshaped the senior leadership that guided the team through its most successful period.
However, Red Bull sources emphasise that Skinner’s decision to leave stems from personal career considerations rather than any internal tensions or disputes. The team has maintained stability under Christian Horner’s leadership despite various challenges, and the technical operation continues to function effectively under Wache’s direction.
Red Bull’s transition to the power unit era
The timing of Skinner’s departure comes as Red Bull embarks on its most ambitious technical project yet. The RB22, developed in partnership with Ford, features the team’s first in-house power unit after years of customer relationships with Renault and Honda. This transition from pure chassis constructor to full manufacturer represents a fundamental shift in the organisation’s structure and capabilities.
Early feedback on the Red Bull Powertrains unit has exceeded expectations, with rival teams praising its efficient electric energy deployment. Mercedes technical director James Allison notably acknowledged the sophistication of Red Bull’s power unit packaging during pre-season testing, suggesting the Milton Keynes squad has successfully navigated the immense challenge of building competitive hybrid technology from scratch.
The 2026 regulations demand unprecedented integration between chassis and power unit, with 50 percent of total power now derived from the electric motor-generator unit. This places enormous emphasis on energy recovery systems and deployment strategies, areas where Red Bull’s power unit has apparently made strong progress despite being the newest entry in the field.
Verstappen’s critical assessment of new regulations
Despite the technical achievement Red Bull has delivered for 2026, four-time champion Verstappen has voiced strong criticism of the new regulations. The Dutchman described the cars as “anti-racing” and complained they are “not fun” to drive, highlighting the constant energy management drivers must perform. The extensive lift-and-coast required to harvest electrical energy has fundamentally altered driving techniques, forcing competitors to compromise their racing instincts for efficiency.
Verstappen’s frustration centres on the reduced mechanical grip and lighter minimum weight, which combine to make the cars more nervous and less predictable. The active aerodynamics system, intended to improve overtaking, has created additional complexity that drivers must manage alongside the demanding energy recovery requirements. Several other drivers have echoed these concerns during pre-season testing, suggesting the FIA may face pressure to adjust the formula.
Red Bull’s path forward without key personnel
Red Bull faces the challenge of maintaining its competitive position whilst integrating new technical leadership. Pierre Wache assumes greater responsibility as the senior figure in the design office, supported by a deep bench of engineering talent developed during the team’s successful period. The organisation has historically demonstrated resilience during personnel transitions, promoting from within and adapting its structure to accommodate change.
The team’s strong start to pre-season testing suggests the foundations remain solid despite the departures. Red Bull continues to extract performance from innovative concepts, and the successful power unit project demonstrates the organisation’s expanding technical capabilities. How the team navigates the 2026 season without Skinner, Newey, and other departed personnel will reveal whether Red Bull’s dominance was built on individual genius or sustainable institutional strength.
