Monaghan rumours add to pressure on Red Bull
"I can imagine something happening at that level"
Fresh speculation surrounding long-time chief engineer Paul Monaghan has added to the sense of upheaval at Red Bull as the team prepares for a crucial home race in Austria.
According to Ralf Schumacher, Monaghan may be on the way out after recently making rare public comments that appeared to push back against criticism by Max Verstappen.
"Only someone like Monaghan made a slightly critical comment about it," Schumacher told Sky Deutschland.
"But what I hear is that he won’t be there much longer and is already on his way somewhere else."
Schumacher stressed he could not confirm the information, but said it was notable that Monaghan had publicly challenged the prevailing narrative surrounding Verstappen.
"It was the first time someone officially dared to speak out against that image," he said.
The rumours come with Red Bull desperate to convince Verstappen to remain beyond this season, despite an exit clause in his contract.
Following the recent Salzburg meeting involving Verstappen, manager Raymond Vermeulen, Mark Mateschitz, Chalerm Yoovidhya, Oliver Mintzlaff and team boss Laurent Mekies, Bild reported Red Bull is seeking to buy out the Dutchman’s release clause, with similar talks expected during this weekend’s Austrian GP.
Schumacher believes the race will also be decisive for technical director Pierre Wache, whose heavily updated RB22 is due to debut.
"If Pierre Wache manages to put a completely renewed car on the Red Bull Ring and they are back at the front and clearly closer, then I think Max’s confidence in the team will be great again," he said.
"If it’s not successful, then I can imagine something happening at that level."
Schumacher also argued Red Bull continues to feel the absence of former adviser Dr Helmut Marko - who will make his first appearance since retiring this weekend at Zeltweg.
"I can’t say it often enough - it’s Dr Marko who always had that role," he said.
"Oliver Mintzlaff can do his job as well as he likes, but he simply lacks Formula 1 experience."