The team has confirmed Gianpiero Lambiase promotion to the expanded role of Head of Racing as part of a major Red Bull F1 restructure.
In a major shake-up within the Red Bull Racing team, Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has been promoted to the newly created position of Head of Racing as part of a new staffing structure moving forward.
This change comes in the wake of the departures of key figures within the organization, including Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley and renowned chief designer Adrian Newey.
The Red Bull F1 restructure aims to boost the team’s operational efficiency and competitiveness as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 Formula One season.
Lambiase, who has been a crucial part of Verstappen’s racing journey since the Dutch driver joined Red Bull in 2016, will continue to serve as Verstappen’s race engineer while taking on additional responsibilities in his new role.
Lambiase promotion comes after he committed his future to Red Bull with a new contract. This signifies the team’s commitment to promoting talent from within, reflecting a deep reservoir of expertise and experience that exists within the team.
As Head of Racing, the 43-year old will oversee all trackside activities, manage the racing strategy group, and ensure compliance with sporting regulations and will report directly to Technical Director Pierre Wache.
Lambiase promotion is particularly noteworthy given his deep understanding of both the car and Verstappen’s driving style. His ability to communicate effectively with Verstappen has been pivotal during races, often providing real-time insights that have led to strategic advantages on track.
By taking on a more comprehensive role that encompasses all aspects of racing operations, Lambiase is well-positioned to influence not just race outcomes but also long-term strategic decisions for Red Bull.
The decision not to fill Wheatley’s position with a single individual is indicative of Red Bull’s strategic approach to management. Instead, several existing team members will take on elevated roles to distribute Wheatley’s responsibilities more effectively.
As part of the new Red Bull F1 restructure, Steve Knowles, formerly a senior strategy engineer, has been appointed as Head of Sporting Regulations where he will act as the liaison between Red Bull and the FIA.
Meanwhile, Richard Wolverson has been promoted to Head of Race Team Operations, responsible for the daily operations at race events.
Additionally, Gerrard O’Reilly will now lead logistics as Head of Race Team Support & Logistics, while Phil Turner transitions from Chief Mechanic to Race Team Factory Operations Manager.
The restructuring comes at a critical juncture for the team which has been struggling in recent months, including a notable decline in performance that has seen them lose their lead in the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren.
With seven races without a win stretching back to June’s Spanish Grand Prix, Red Bull is under pressure to regain its competitive edge.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris has cut Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship by 59 points ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, therefore there is an urgent need for revitalization within the team structure.
Team Principal Christian Horner highlighted the importance of the internal changes as a means to boost performance and stability within the organization.
“We are in the midst of a period of significant change and development at Oracle Red Bull Racing, and in light of the challenges to come, we have made the decision to alter the structure of the race team,” he said.
“The appointments will serve to give us greater capacity across a number of crucial areas and ultimately will, I believe, make the team more competitive.
“For me, it is especially rewarding to have promoted people from within. We have a huge resource of exceptionally talented people at Oracle Red Bull Racing and I am delighted that we can give them the opportunity to shine in roles that were not previously open.
“It’s a step forward for the team as a whole.”
