Bold shift ahead: Red Bull Racing loses its long-time chief designer as the team enters a pivotal 2026 rule reset. Craig Skinner, who has steered the design direction for four years and played a central role in crafting the RB19, is leaving the Milton Keynes outfit by his own choice.
Skinner joined Red Bull back in 2006, starting out as a CFD engineer before rising to deputy head of aerodynamics in 2018 and then to chief designer in 2022. His impact on the RB19’s design was substantial, helping drive the car’s success on track.
Red Bull confirmed the departure, praising Skinner as an integral part of the team and thanking him for his hard work and commitment, while wishing him well for the future.
The organization itself has been undergoing notable changes over the past year. Laurent Mekies now leads the operation after taking the helm from Christian Horner following the 2025 British Grand Prix. Earlier this year, Dr. Helmut Marko announced he would depart by choice, though the implication suggested a gentle easing out.
PlanetF1.com reported further restructuring, including four staff terminations, among them Alice Hedworth, who had served as Sergio Perez’s press officer and later supported Mekies during the early months of his tenure. In total, the team is moving toward a nearly all-new configuration with fresh leadership in key roles.
These changes come as Red Bull introduces the Powertrains engine for F1 2026, which has shown promise in early testing in Barcelona and Bahrain. While some observers view Red Bull as a potential early frontrunner in energy deployment, the data remains nuanced. Nevertheless, Red Bull remains firmly in the title conversation, with Max Verstappen and Óscar Hadjar anticipated near the front of the grid.
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Final thought: With Skinner’s exit and New leadership at the helm, this season may reveal how adaptable Red Bull’s design philosophy remains when a seasoned chief designer hands over the baton. Does this signal a broader shift in Red Bull’s approach to chassis and aero under the new regime, or will the core Red Bull design ethos endure? Share your perspective in the comments.
