Ted Kravitz says ‘irritable’ Red Bull chief was ‘clearly’ unhappy before he left

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Ted Kravitz has offered insight into Paul Monaghan’s demeanour in the pit lane as the long-serving Red Bull man prepares to join Cadillac.

Recently, it has been heavily rumoured that chief engineer Monaghan will leave Red Bull after nearly 21 years, having joined at the end of 2005 – their first year in the sport.

The team are refusing to confirm this themselves, but Monaghan’s absence at this weekend’s British GP has only strengthened the belief that it’s a done deal.

Ted Kravitz says Paul Monaghan was visibly ‘stressed’ in the pit lane

Speaking on Ted’s Notebook, Kravitz reported that Monaghan has now begun a period of gardening leave before he starts work at newcomers Cadillac.

He has become the latest pillar of the Red Bull team to leave, following the likes of aerodynamicist Rob Marshall, designer Adrian Newey, strategist Will Courtenay, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and engineer Gianpiero Lambiase (though he won’t start at McLaren until 2028).

The sacking of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko’s mutual exit at the end of 2025 epitomise the upheaval of the past few years.

Kravitz noticed a change in Monaghan in the lead-up to his departure.

“The loss of experienced personnel from Red Bull Racing continues,” he said. “Recently, he’s seemed quite stressed and irritable.

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“I don’t know if that’s because he was irritable at Red Bull not winning, but he’s always seemed stressed and irritable with us in the pit lane. Clearly, he wasn’t having a very good time.

“We believe he’s on gardening leave. The team will only say that Paul Monaghan is not here this weekend, adding no more details than that.

“According to the paddock’s strong suggestions, he is off to Cadillac.”

Earlier this year, Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack resigned, reportedly due to a change in the ‘working atmosphere’ at the team.

At this stage, one can only speculate as to Monaghan’s motives. Part of eight title-winning seasons at Milton Keynes – four for Sebastian Vettel and four for Max Verstappen – he is certainly an eye-catching coup for Cadillac.

Red Bull are currently fourth in the constructors’ standings, with their run of 10 straight seasons in the top three threatening to come to an end.