Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack to leave as team undergoes sweeping changes

Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack has handed in his resignation, ending a stint that started with the Jaguar‑era team and spanned four Verstappen titles. He leaves as Red Bull deals with senior staff exits and a weak start to 2026, sitting sixth in the constructors’ standings after three races. His exit follows the recent departures of Helmut Marko, Craig Skinner, Matt Caller and former principal Christian Horner.

Why it matters:

• Schack’s 18‑year tenure gave Verstappen’s cars mechanical continuity, a key factor in four straight championships.
• His departure adds to a wave of senior exits and comes as the RB‑26 struggles for balance, putting the team at risk of falling further behind rivals.

The details:

• Tenure: Joined Red Bull in 2005 after the Jaguar transition and served as Verstappen’s lead mechanic through four titles.
• Recent performance: After three races the RB‑26 is sixth in the constructors’ table; Verstappen has only 12 points, sitting ninth in the drivers’ championship.
• Staff turnover: In late 2025 Helmut Marko left, followed by Craig Skinner, Matt Caller and Christian Horner; Laurent Mekies is now team principal.

What's next:

• Red Bull is negotiating a short transition window with Schack to keep him for the next race weekend and hand over critical set‑up knowledge.
• The team will likely promote internally or hire externally, but the new mechanic must adapt quickly to the RB‑26’s handling quirks as Red Bull pushes to close the performance gap.