Paul Monaghan linked to Cadillac in possible Red Bull exit
NXTbets Pro | Published On: June 26, 2026
Monaghan exit talks
Paul Monaghan is reported to be preparing to leave Red Bull after nearly two decades, with Cadillac viewed as his likely next stop. The move has not been officially confirmed and his role there has not been defined. Any departure would likely put him on gardening leave, which would keep him from starting at another team until next season. Red Bull and Cadillac have declined to comment on the reported move. Monaghan is expected to be at the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, and Laurent Mekies said he was working at the track on Friday. Monaghan has been with Red Bull since 2005, and his contract runs through the end of 2028, so any change would carry major implications for both sides.
Red Bull talent
The possible loss of Monaghan comes during another stretch of churn at Red Bull. The team has already seen several senior technical and operational figures move on in recent years, including Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall. Gianpiero Lambiase is also expected to leave for McLaren in 2028. Mekies said keeping and attracting talent sits at the top of Red Bull’s priorities as the team works through that wider exodus. He said the team has succession plans for every senior role and believes its depth gives it the chance to promote from within. Mekies also said Max Verstappen’s main concern is having a competitive car, and that improving performance is the key to keeping the Dutch driver long term. Verstappen remains under contract through 2028, but his future has not been settled by that deal alone.
Monaghan record
Monaghan leaves a strong record if the reported move goes through. During his time at Red Bull, he oversaw eight championship-winning cars. The team also won eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles in that span. That track record helps explain why he has drawn interest from outside the team. Aston Martin had approached him, which could have set up a reunion with Newey. Even with Cadillac linked as a destination, the next step is still unclear because his exact role has not been determined. The report points to a familiar reality in modern Formula One, where one departure can touch the technical line-up, the leadership structure and the long-term plan for a front-running team. For Red Bull, the challenge is not just replacing a veteran engineer. It is protecting a pipeline that has already been tested by a series of high-profile exits and the uncertainty around Verstappen’s future.
