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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer on track during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer on track during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Goodbyes are never easy, and it certainly wasn’t for Lee Stevenson, who was the number 1 mechanic for Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Stevenson has been working with the Milton Keynes based outfit for 15 years but now believes it is time to move on to a new role within the team. Lee took to social media to announce the news, ending a wonderful career working in the pits of the energy drink-owned team.
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Stevenson’s goodbye message summarized his career perfectly. It also featured a shout out to Verstappen as well as high praise for the 10 time Grand Prix winner.
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His message read, “10 wins, 3 poles, 42 podiums. Never did I dream of going on such an incredible journey with the best driver on the grid. It’s a shame we didn’t get the championship ticked off but HE definitely will.
“My journey as the No1 on the car has come to an end as I take on a new role in the team, an opportunity I couldn’t miss! I wish the guys all the luck in the world to achieving more wins than ever and hope they come back with the crown! I’ll be coming to a showcar event near you soon.”
Stevenson’s F1 journey had begun back in 1999 with Jordan Grand Prix. He was just 15 years old then. In 2005, he got a chance to actually work with the race team where he was a rear engineer on Tiago Monteiro’s car. In 2006, he made the jump to Red Bull and rose up the ranks to become a number 1 mechanic in 2015 for Daniil Kvyat before getting the same job on Max’s car the following year.
Stevenson’s dream may come true, thanks to Max Verstappen
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HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Verstappen may feel 2021 is his best chance to win the championship crown. His talent and consistency has never been in doubt, but unfortunately he hasn’t had the best package on the grid.
This season, however, Mercedes has voiced concerns over a few issues. The Silver Arrows have had to adjust to the cost cap norms and introduce the aero changes to reduce the pressure on the new Pirelli tires. All this while dealing with engine reliability issues. This means that they’ll probably be at their most vulnerable.
Can Verstappen capitalize on that and dethrone Lewis Hamilton? We shall find out once the season gets underway on March 28th.
Also Read: Max Verstappen Not a Fan of F1’s Proposed Change: “Don’t Need Sprint Races”
