Behind every successful man, there is a woman, but if it’s in the world of Formula 1, there is an entire team enabling a world championship run. This does not exclude the reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen as well. However, from 2024 onwards, the Dutchman will be missing a crucial part of his championship-winning team.

Even though it doesn’t look like it from the outside looking in, F1 is an extremely physical sport. In fact, a driver’s weight and muscle composition can make a massive difference of over a second in race pace. This is where professionals like Bradley Scanes come into the picture, and the Englishman has been by Verstappen’s side since 2020 but won’t be from 2024 onwards. So first, let’s get acquainted with the Red Bull man’s performance coach.

The man responsible for the peak physical fitness of Max Verstappen

The Ex-Director of Human Performance at Red Bull and Verstappen’s performance coach graduated in 2009 with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. He joined the team right at the start of the 2020 season and made the Dutchman formidable off the track as well.

As a graduate of Loughborough University, Scanes recently had a conversation with his alma mater. In the interview, he revealed what his role entails. As quoted by lboro.ac.uk, he explained, “First and foremost, it is looking after the health and physical and mental preparation of our driver Max Verstappen, from pre-season and in-season training to physio for any injuries and also nutrition, hydration, and recovery over the course of a race weekend.” This is a year-round role, from pre-season to in-season training, even though it’s not Verstappen’s favorite hobby.

He landed this role after following up on his keen interest in injury and rehabilitation and qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist. With his expertise, the Englishman landed himself a job in the British gymnastics community. The Red Bull offer knocked on the doorstep in 2020. He continued his work with British gymnastics as a consultant initially. Having worked with Verstappen for four seasons, Scanes played a crucial role in all three of the Dutchman’s title runs.

Read More: Performance Coach Talks About Max Verstappen and His Fitness Regime

However, now he will step away from the circus, and his interview in the past will give you an insight as to why.

Why did Bradley Scanes decide to quit Red Bull?

The year-round job, which is necessary during a driver’s downtime, is taxing as one would assume. The decision to quit, perhaps, was motivated exactly because of that. His old interview highlights the reason in a subtle manner.

“My wife will say I spend more time with Max than with her,” he says. “But it’s going well in our marriage.” This is exactly what he has mentioned in his recent interviews as the reason for his decision to call it quits after 2023. Some time with the family before the Englishman enriches the life of a different athlete.

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The Dutchman will surely replace his performance coach in no time, but only time will tell if he will be able to replicate this level of success and performance. Onto a new season now!