Lee Stevenson, who was one of Max Verstappen’s closest allies at Red Bull for many years, announced after the Australian Grand Prix that he was leaving for another F1 team
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Max Verstappen has revealed the new team his former number one mechanic Lee Stevenson has joined.
Stevenson recently announced that he was leaving Red Bull after many years working alongside Verstappen as one of his closest allies in the garage. He said he would be travelling to this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix to begin work for his new employer.
But he kept his cards close to his chest and did not give away who it was that he was going to be joining. Speaking at Suzuka, though, Verstappen told reporters which team it was that had convinced his chief mechanic to embark on a new journey.
“I have a very good relationship with Leeroy already from my start at Red Bull from 2016 onwards,” said the Dutchman. “He was my number one until the end of 2020, if I’m not mistaken.
“Then he moved into a bit of a different role where I think initially he was a bit more based at the factory. Then he came back to the track and a bit more sharing duties as a chief mechanic. And then he got a great opportunity at Sauber and I don’t blame him for trying something new.
“We’re still good friends. We have shared a lot of great moments together. Sometimes in life, you get opportunities and you maybe go a bit out of your comfort zone. You try something new. If it doesn’t work out, you can always come back, right?”
Stevenson announced his Red Bull exit in a video he posted on social media, which was taken at the team’s Milton Keynes factory. “You won’t be seeing any more posts from me from Red Bull, because today is my last day,” he told his followers.
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“It’s been an amazing 18 years and all the things that I’ve managed to achieve here with the team have been absolutely incredible. From working on the first car, the RB2, and then the RB16B, obviously the RB19… it’s been an incredible journey. I just want to say thanks to everyone here, it’s been an amazing time that I’ve had.
“In 2006, when I started, I never thought we would win races, get poles, win championships – but we’ve managed to do all of that and it’s just been amazing. So yeah, onto the next chapter.
“That chapter starts on Monday when I fly to Japan to start work with my new team at the other end of the pit lane. It’s going to be a massive challenge but one I am ready for.”