A few-time earth champion Max Verstappen has suffered a blow right after his main mechanic announced he is leaving Red Bull to be a part of a rival staff.
Lee Stevenson declared on Instagram he will get started get the job done at a further Formula One workforce from Monday when he flies out to the Japanese Grand Prix.
Stevenson has been a long-serving mechanic at Crimson Bull immediately after joining the Milton Keynes based crew again in 2006, one particular calendar year soon after the team’s debut campaign.
Pink Bull have due to the fact gained the constructors’ title on 6 events, as perfectly as 7 driver’ championships.
The very last 3 motorists titles have been won by Verstappen, with the Dutchman getting joined the staff in 2016.
Pink Bull’s chief mechanic Lee Stevenson has declared his departure from Pink Bull Racing
Stevenson has worked intently with Max Verstappen all through his a few globe title wins
Stevenson has been in the pit lane for all of Verstappen’s 56 Grand Prix victories.
‘You will not be viewing any a lot more posts from me from Red Bull, for the reason that now is my previous day.
‘It’s been an amazing 18 a long time and all the items that I have managed to attain below with the group have been certainly incredible. From doing the job on the first car or truck, the RB2, and then the RB16B, of course the RB19.
‘It’s been an unbelievable journey. I just want to say thanks to everybody right here, it is really been an remarkable time that I have experienced.
‘In 2006, when I commenced, I hardly ever imagined we would gain races, get poles, acquire championships – but we’ve managed to do all of that and it is just been wonderful. So yeah, onto the upcoming chapter.
‘That chapter begins on Monday when I fly to Japan to start off do the job with my new workforce at the other conclude of the pit lane. It is really likely to be a substantial challenge but just one I am all set for.’
Stevenson experienced to begin with begun at Pink Bull as the team’s fourth mechanic, in advance of becoming getting the entrance stop position.
Stevenson, correct, has been aspect of Purple Bull for their six constructors and 7 driver’s championship title wins
He turned the No 1 mechanic on Daniil Kvyat’s car or truck in 2015 and took on the identical role when Verstappen joined the workforce.
Stevenson disclosed in 2020 that he experienced created a potent bond with the Dutch celebrity.
‘You can relate to their exhilaration,’ he explained to the official Formula Just one web page. ‘We have enjoyable at the observe and absent from it – but Max is aware 100 for every cent that in the garage, we’ll get the position accomplished and that he can rely on us.’
The mechanic was among the vital men and women who labored on Verstappen’s motor vehicle when he crashed on the formation lap at the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen hailed the mechanics for ‘saving the day’ right after he went on to complete 2nd.
Stevenson was later promoted to become Purple Bull’s chief mechanic.
Verstappen has liked a potent start out to the year with the reigning winner earning wins at the the two the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs.
Stevenson helped fix Verstappen’s car immediately after he crashed on the development lap at the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix right before heading on to safe a podium end
The Dutchman, having said that, was forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix final 7 days just after two laps.
Verstappen has relished a robust commence to the year with the reigning champion earning wins at the each the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman, on the other hand, was pressured to retire from the Australian Grand Prix previous week.
Verstappen’s foreseeable future experienced been the topic of speculation amid the furore about Red Bull team principal’s sexual intercourse checks scandal this season.