Rumours seem to be confirmed that Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan is set for a Cadillac move, in another major blow to the Red Bull F1 team – Red Bull is set to lose another of its most experienced technical figures, with chief engineer Paul Monaghan expected to leave the Milton Keynes-based squad after more than 20 years.
Multiple reports indicate the veteran engineer has agreed a move to Cadillac, adding to the growing list of senior departures from the reigning Formula 1 powerhouse as it prepares for a new era under the 2027 regulations.
The move follows weeks of speculation surrounding Monaghan’s future, with several respected Formula 1 media outlets now reporting that his departure is effectively agreed. His exit represents another significant change within Red Bull’s technical structure after a turbulent period for the team.
Paul Monaghan expected to join Cadillac leadership project
Reports from RacingNews365 state that Monaghan will leave Red Bull to join Cadillac’s expanding Formula 1 operation, with multiple sources confirming the agreement.
The 58-year-old is understood to be in line for a senior leadership position within the American manufacturer’s Formula 1 programme, although the exact title and responsibilities have yet to be publicly confirmed.
Speculation surrounding Monaghan intensified last week when former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher revealed he had heard the highly respected engineer was close to leaving Red Bull. RacingNews365 subsequently reported that the move to Cadillac had been confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the negotiations.
The reports also suggest Monaghan received interest from Aston Martin but chose not to pursue a move there. Had he accepted Aston Martin’s offer, he would have reunited with former Red Bull design chief Adrian Newey, who joined the Silverstone-based team earlier this year.
Gardening leave could delay Formula 1 return
While Monaghan’s destination appears to be decided, the timing of his departure remains uncertain.
According to RacingNews365, formal negotiations over his release from Red Bull are still ongoing. Like many senior Formula 1 technical personnel, Monaghan is expected to serve a period of “gardening leave” before beginning work with a rival team.
Gardening leave can last for up to 12 months and is designed to prevent engineers from immediately transferring sensitive technical knowledge between competing organisations.
The duration can sometimes be reduced if both teams reach an agreement. In such cases, it is not uncommon for the incoming team to compensate the departing employer with a financial settlement to secure an earlier release.
Another experienced figure leaves Red Bull
Monaghan joined Red Bull in 2005 after building an impressive Formula 1 career with several teams.
Before arriving in Milton Keynes, he enjoyed considerable success at Renault, where he worked as race engineer to Fernando Alonso during one of the most successful periods of the Spaniard’s career.
Since joining Red Bull, Monaghan has played an integral role in the team’s rise to multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, contributing to championship-winning cars across both the Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen eras.
His expected departure continues a period of significant restructuring within Red Bull as the team prepares for Formula 1’s next generation of technical regulations and faces increasing competition from rivals strengthening their own technical departments.
Cadillac, which is assembling its Formula 1 organisation ahead of its entry into the championship, would secure one of the paddock’s most experienced engineering figures if the move is completed as expected.
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