Ole Schack leaves Red Bull with heartfelt Verstappen tribute

Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack has paid a warm tribute to Max Verstappen as he prepares to leave the team after around two decades of service. Schack called time on his career with Red Bull after the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

A mechanic's view of Verstappen's day-to-day

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Schack explained that the routine of the job means the small details rarely stand out, even to the people who see them every week. He knows Verstappen's habits inside the car well, but he said the four-time champion is essentially the same person he was a decade ago, and just as honest when dealing with the media.

Schack reached for a striking comparison, likening the Dutchman to Ronaldo and Messi, but in a Formula 1 car. In his view, Verstappen has an extra quality that cannot be taught.

Why the Red Bull culture still stands out

Schack also described the environment at Red Bull as consistently out of the ordinary. He pointed to the team's own Energy Station and the celebrations at the season-opening event in Melbourne as examples of a squad that has always done things a little differently.

Despite the team's growth, Schack insisted it has held on to its identity. He said the squad has matured but still plays the loudest music in the pit lane, and that people who have arrived from other teams often remark on how different the atmosphere feels. For him, it is simply part of the team's DNA.

A departure that adds to the spotlight on the team

Schack's exit is a reminder that Red Bull's garage is a place where long service and personal bonds count for a great deal. Readers interested in how the team's personnel is changing can look at the move that sees Gianpiero Lambiase leave Red Bull for McLaren. For those following Verstappen's own future, Jos Verstappen's remarks on hidden agreements in his son's Red Bull contract offer a different perspective on the Verstappen camp.

For now, Schack's words offer an intimate look at a relationship built over many seasons, and a clear picture of the people behind the scenes who keep the team running.