Red Bull Racing will start the 2026 Formula 1 season without chief designer Craig Skinner. News of his exit first appeared in several British media reports, including Autosport, before further confirmation followed from other sources.

RacingNews365 later reported that Red Bull had officially confirmed the departure. In a brief statement, the Milton Keynes-based team said: “After 20 years with the team, Craig Skinner, our Chief Designer, will be leaving the Red Bull Technology team.”

According to available information, Skinner decided to leave on his own initiative. His departure is not believed to be linked to other recent personnel changes at the team.

Skinner joined Red Bull in 2006 after previous roles at Jordan and Williams. He started as a CFD engineer and gradually moved up through the aerodynamics department. Over the years he held several senior technical roles before becoming chief designer in 2022.

He played an important role in the development of Red Bull’s recent championship-winning cars, including the highly successful RB19. There is currently no confirmation about his next career move or who will replace him in the team structure.

The change comes shortly before the start of the new Formula 1 season, adding another notable shift inside one of the sport’s leading teams.