Verstappen's race engineer Lambiase set for promotion in Red Bull restructure after Wheatley departure

Red Bull are set to promote Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to Head of Racing as part of a restructure following the news their Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley is leaving to become Sauber/Audi’s Team Principal next year.

Lambiase – known as GP – has race engineered three-time world champion Verstappen since the Dutchman joined the team in 2016 – and he will continue to do so alongside his newly-created role.

TECH WEEKLY: Has a Ferrari-esque upgrade brought Red Bull back into contention?

The new job will see Lambiase head up all trackside activities. He will report into Technical Director Pierre Wache.

Red Bull have opted not to replace Wheatley’s position but instead split the duties across several existing staff whose positions will now have more seniority.

Steve Knowles steps up from his senior strategy role to become Head of Sporting Regulations. He’ll be the link point between the team and governing body the FIA and report to Lambiase.

Richard Wolverson steps up to Head of Race Team Operations and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations at track.

Horner rues ‘heartbreaking’ Baku crash that ‘destroyed the race’ for podium-bound Perez

Gerrard O’Reilly will be promoted to Head of Logistics while Phil Turner steps up from Chief Mechanic to become Race Team Factory Operations Manager.

The changes will come into full effect ahead of the 2025 season.

Red Bull are in transition, with design guru Adrian Newey also joining Wheatley in departing the team, the 65-year-old set to join Aston Martin in March next year.

The team are up against it to defend their world title after they lost the lead of the constructors’ championship to McLaren last time out in Baku and are on a run of seven Grands Prix without a win.

DISCOVER MORE...

THE GUENTHER STEINER COLUMN: RB decision is tough on Ricciardo – but he knows in F1 you have to perform to survive

Life as a 'smooth operator', work experience dreams and his dad’s valuable advice – Getting to know the real Carlos Sainz

Newey explains why he opted for 'old school' Aston Martin, rather than joining Hamilton in 2025 move to Ferrari

From Massa’s Sao Paulo tearjerker to Alonso’s Abu Dhabi donuts – 6 emotional F1 driver departures

TECH WEEKLY: How F1’s regulations changes made it increasingly hard for Ricciardo to find his old Red Bull form