Ralf Schumacher names the key Red Bull figure ‘not up to the task’ after damaging departures

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Red Bull have lost several key figures in their operation which could put them in an even more challenging position than they already find themselves in.

The defending champions have lost the lead of the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren and have fallen 41 points behind with six races to go as they struggle to keep up with their rivals.

What has not helped things is the amount of important personnel that have left or will be leaving the team come the end of the season. Legendary designer Adrian Newey handed in his resignation earlier on in the year and was announced to be joining Aston Martin in 2025.

Christian Horner has also lost his sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who will be joining Audi as their team principal in 2025. Helmut Marko said Red Bull were unable to match Audi’s offer for Wheatley as he moves on to the exciting new project entering F1.

McLaren recently acquired the services of Will Courtenay, who will leave his post as Red Bull’s head of strategy to become their rivals’ sporting director. Red Bull have reportedly taken the loss of Courtenay hard as they suffer another big blow to their operation.

Ralf Schumacher thinks Pierre Wache is ‘not up to the task’ at Red Bull

All three of these significant figures will prove difficult to replace, and according to Ralf Schumacher while speaking with Formel1.de, there is one Red Bull figure that he believes is ‘not quite up to the task.’

Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Wache has been with the team since 2013, joining the Milton Keynes-based outfit after a lengthy spell with Sauber.

Wache has overseen three drivers and constructors’ titles with the team during his time there, being second to Newey when it came to overseeing the design and production of the car. With Newey now bound for Aston Martin, Schumacher is not convinced Wache can fill the void.

“I think the team is still suffering from the fact that some people are leaving, [that] want to go away and that you can’t replace them so easily,” he said.

“I still have a bit of feeling, but that can also be misleading, but that Pierre [Wache] is still perhaps not quite up to the task. He certainly has a brilliant head, but I don’t think he has it.

“I really hope for Red Bull that they can get it under control. I can’t quite imagine it yet, [I have a] feeling that it’s going to be a difficult time for Red Bull and especially if Max Verstappen should really go because you can see again what difference he made in the last race.”

Can Red Bull hold back McLaren and defend their title?

Red Bull are under increased pressure to defend their titles in 2024, and their lack of performances in recent weeks will cast doubt as to whether they will be able to hold on.

Max Verstappen did what was required and finished second in the Singapore Grand Prix as title rival Lando Norris dominated the field to win his third race by over 20 seconds.

With Daniel Ricciardo securing the fastest lap of the race, Verstappen can afford to finish second in every remaining race and Sprint event, regardless of the fastest lap bonus point, and still win his fourth title.

But the Dutchman has not won a race since Spain or grabbed pole position since Austria and has finished on the podium three times in the last eight races while McLaren look to have the clear advantage. There is doubt over whether Verstappen can hold back the charging Norris, but his 52-point lead may just be enough with six races to go.