Max Verstappen poaches F1 rival's coach after losing key Red Bull ally

28 November 2023 , 16:53

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Max Verstappen has found a new performance coach to replace his departing ally Bradley Scanes (Image: AP)

Max Verstappen responded to losing his performance coach by poaching his new trainer from a Formula 1 rival.

Bradley Scanes is leaving Red Bull Racing after four years at the Dutchman's side. But the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was his last race in that role with the former Southend United physio leaving to spend more time at home.

Verstappen has wasted little time in finding his replacement. Rupert Manwaring is set to replace Scanes as the triple world champion's trainer, getting to work in the New Year.

Manwaring is well-known in the F1 paddock having spend the last eight seasons working with Carlos Sainz. He moved with the Spaniard from Toro Rosso to McLaren and then to his current team Ferrari.

But he has decided to take on a fresh challenge. And Manwaring's move is a fitting one given that his dad, also named Rupert, used to work with Verstappen's father Jos when he was a regular racer.

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Manwaring works for the performance company set up by Lewis Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen's former physician Dr Aki Hintsa. The ex-McLaren doctor died at the age of 58 in 2016, following a cancer battle.

Verstappen secured his third world title this year and destroyed a swathe of single-season F1 records in the process. He now has some obligations to fulfil in the coming weeks but, like his rivals, will not begin his preparations for the new season until the New Year.

Given Red Bull got a significant head start on their rivals in terms of their 2024 car development, Verstappen will be well-placed to defend his title again when the action begins - though he insists he cannot imagine Red Bull having it quite so easy again next term.

He said after the Abu Dhabi race: " [It] was an incredible season. It was a bit emotional on the last lap, t he last time sitting in the car which, of course, has given me a lot. Of course, very proud to win the final race, I have to say thanks to everyone at Red Bull it's been an incredible year. It will be hard to do something similar, but we definitely enjoyed this year.

"It will be very hard to have another season like this, we know that you always want to do better, but doing better is not always race wins and winning the championship. We are working hard for next year for a very competitive car. For sure all the other teams want to try and beat us next year, but we are ready for the battle and in the meantime, we're going to enjoy this year as well."

Daniel Moxon