Red Bull Racing Makes Leadership Changes as Jonathan Wheatley and Adrian Newey Depart
Red Bull Racing, known for its unparalleled success in the world of Formula 1, is undergoing significant changes to its leadership team. In a move designed to maintain their competitive edge, the team has announced several key promotions and role adjustments within its ranks.
Gianpiero Lambiase Takes on Expanded Responsibilities
Max Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will assume a more senior role as he transitions from head of race engineering to the newly created position of head of racing. Despite this promotion, Lambiase will continue his crucial pit-wall duties with Verstappen, ensuring their successful partnership remains intact. Lambiase’s responsibilities will now extend to overseeing the race, heritage, and car-build teams, as well as handling matters related to the strategy group and sporting regulations. Reporting directly to Red Bull's technical director Pierre Wache, Lambiase's broadened role is a testament to his expertise and the faith the team places in him.
Internal Promotions at Red Bull Racing
Steve Knowles, previously a senior strategy engineer, has been appointed as the acting head of sporting matters. This role will see him report to Lambiase, ensuring a streamlined communication channel within the team. Rich Wolverson and Gerrard O'Reilly have also been promoted to key positions. Wolverson will now head race team operations, managing the day-to-day activities of the race team, while O'Reilly will ensure seamless coordination of team operations as the new head of race team support and logistics. Additionally, Chief Mechanic Phil Turner will transition to the role of race team factory operations manager, where he will oversee back-end processes crucial to race day success.
Departures of Jonathan Wheatley and Adrian Newey
Alongside these internal promotions, Red Bull Racing is preparing for the departure of two pivotal figures. Jonathan Wheatley, the outgoing sporting director, is set to join Sauber as team principal in early 2025. Wheatley's role has been integral to Red Bull's interactions with race stewards and in lodging appeals or protests during race weekends. Red Bull Racing has opted not to appoint a direct replacement for Wheatley, choosing instead to distribute his responsibilities among the newly promoted staff.
In another significant change, Adrian Newey will be departing Red Bull to join Aston Martin just ahead of the 2025 season. Newey, known for his groundbreaking designs and aerodynamic expertise, has been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s technical success. His departure marks a substantial loss for the team, which underscores the importance of its strategy to promote from within and broaden the responsibilities of experienced staff.
Red Bull Racing’s Recent Success
These changes come in the wake of remarkable achievements for Red Bull Racing. The team has secured three consecutive drivers' championships and two successive constructors' championships. Such successes have reinforced their status as a dominant force in Formula 1, and the recent promotions within the team are aimed at maintaining this winning momentum.
As Sauber prepares to transition to Audi in 2026, Wheatley's appointment aligns with a time of transformation and ambition for the team. Red Bull Racing, on the other hand, is focusing on leveraging the depth of its talent pool to navigate these significant changes and continue its success on the track.
With a blend of continuity and innovation, Red Bull Racing's internal restructuring reflects a strategic approach to sustaining their performance levels. By empowering seasoned professionals like Lambiase, Knowles, Wolverson, O'Reilly, and Turner, the team is positioning itself to adapt and thrive amidst the evolving landscape of Formula 1.