Changes in Red Bull Racing's Ranks as Sauber Prepares for Audi Transition
Red Bull Racing is undergoing significant changes in its team structure, with longtime race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase stepping into a more senior role, and several other key promotions following the departure of sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
Wheatley, a key figure for Red Bull Racing, is set to join Sauber as team principal in early 2025. This move precedes Sauber's transition to Audi in 2026. Remarkably, Red Bull has decided not to appoint a direct replacement for Wheatley's role, instead choosing to promote internally, ensuring continuity and leveraging the vast experience within the team.
Gianpiero Lambiase: A Strategic Elevation
Gianpiero Lambiase, who has played a fundamental role in Max Verstappen's race success, will transition from head of race engineering to the newly created role of head of racing. In his new position, Lambiase will not only continue his pit-wall duties but also take on broader responsibilities overseeing the race, heritage, and car-build teams. Moreover, he will be responsible for strategy group matters and sporting regulations, reporting directly to Red Bull's technical director, Pierre Wache.
Strategic Promotions Within Red Bull Racing
Further demonstrating Red Bull's strategy to promote from within and expand the responsibilities of experienced staff, Steve Knowles, previously a senior strategy engineer, will now serve as the acting head of sporting matters, reporting directly to Lambiase. Meanwhile, Rich Wolverson has been promoted to head of race team operations, tasked with managing the day-to-day activities of the race team.
In addition, Gerrard O'Reilly will step into the role of head of race team support and logistics, ensuring seamless coordination of team operations. Chief Mechanic Phil Turner will transition to the race team factory operations manager, taking charge of back-end factory processes crucial to race day success.
Red Bull’s Continued Success Amidst Changes
Despite these significant staffing changes, Red Bull Racing remains a powerhouse on the grid, having secured three consecutive drivers' championships and two successive constructors' championships. The team aims to maintain its winning momentum through these strategic organizational changes.
Looking to the Future
These internal promotions come at a time when Red Bull is experiencing a period of remarkable success. By retaining key personnel and broadening their remit, the team aims to sustain its competitive edge. The departure of Adrian Newey to Aston Martin ahead of the 2025 season marks another significant change, as Newey's departure represents a substantial loss for the team given his pivotal role in their engineering successes.
However, Red Bull's focus on internal development and the elevation of trusted, experienced team members illustrates a confidence in their strategic direction. As the team navigates these transitions, the objective remains clear: to continue their dominance on the track and remain a formidable force in Formula 1.