Red Bull’s still two‑year reign in 2022‑23 masked an exodus that began in May 2023 when Rob Marshall left for McLaren after 17 seasons. The former chief designer‑turned‑chief engineer had shaped the team’s early‑2010s resurgence and was praised by team principal Christian Horner. Marshall’s move to become McLaren’s chief technical officer signalled the first major talent drain from the Milton Keynes outfit.

Lee Stevenson, the long‑time chief mechanic, announced his departure in March 2024 after 18 years. Rising from a Jordan garage role to chief mechanic on Max Verstappen’s car, he later joined Sauber and is set to become Audi’s team manager in 2026. The loss of such institutional knowledge adds pressure on Red Bull’s garage operations.

The most seismic shift arrived in May 2024 when Adrian Newey walked out amid a power struggle that followed the Horner scandal. The eight‑time world champion designer, who revived Red Bull’s title chances in 2021‑24, immediately joined Aston Martin as a technical partner. His exit, coupled with Jonathan Wheatley’s move to Sauber/Audi, leaves the team scrambling to replace senior technical and sporting leadership now.