Horner sees positive side to Red Bull strategist's departure: 'Hannah Schmitz was a target'
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Red Bull Racing may have lost several important figures. However, team principal Christian Horner believes there is at least one upside to one of the departures. Now, Hannah Schmitz has the chance to move up the ranks within the team. Horner also believes that Schmitz herself would have been approached by rivals.
Red Bull is currently undergoing a team restructuring after it was announced that top designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will leave for Aston Martin and Audi, respectively, the following season. It was also announced that chief strategist Will Courtenay will join McLaren in 2026.
According to Horner, McLaren had too good of an offer for Courtenay. "He has been here for 20 years. We talked about other roles within the group. He was offered a bigger role on a very high salary from McLaren, and at that point you have got to say: 'Good luck. Go for it'," the Red Bull team principal told Motorsport.com.
Horner: 'Hannah Schmitz would have been a target for rivals'
However, Courtenay's departure will allow another talented person in the team to rise up. "At the same time, it gives an opportunity for Hannah Schmitz to move up, which, if she hadn't had that opportunity, she'd have been a prime target for somebody."
Schmitz plays in important role in choosing Red Bull's strategy at Grands Prix, and previously helped Max Verstappen to many victories.
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder
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12 October 2024
