Red Bull's Strategic Overhaul: Lambiase Steps Up, Wheatley Heads to Sauber
In a significant shake-up at Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will take on a more senior role within the team. This restructuring fills the gap left by outgoing sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who is set to join Sauber as team principal in early 2025, just a year before the team transitions to Audi.
Rather than appointing a direct replacement for Wheatley's role, Red Bull has opted for a strategic internal promotion of several key figures within its race team.
Over recent years, Red Bull Racing has dominated Formula 1, securing three consecutive drivers' championships and two successive constructors' championships. This latest organizational revamp aims to maintain that winning momentum.
Lambiase’s Expanded Role
Having served as head of race engineering, Lambiase will now transition to the newly created role of head of racing. Affectionately known as "GP", Lambiase has been a cornerstone of Verstappen's career, often engaging in strategic banter with the Dutchman over the radio during races. His promotion is a natural progression, given his deep understanding and expertise within the team.
In his new capacity, Lambiase will continue his pit-wall duties with Verstappen while taking on additional responsibilities for the race, heritage, and car-build teams. This broader scope will see him oversee all matters related to the strategy group and the sporting regulations. Lambiase will now report directly to Red Bull's technical director, Pierre Wache.
Leadership Changes and New Responsibilities
In tandem with Lambiase's promotion, other key personnel within Red Bull are also stepping up to more significant roles. 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 ascended to the role of head of race team operations, where he will manage the day-to-day activities of the race team. Gerrard O'Reilly has been promoted to head of race team support and logistics, ensuring the seamless coordination of team operations. Additionally, Chief Mechanic Phil Turner will transition to race team factory operations manager, overseeing the back-end factory processes crucial to race day success.
Wheatley and Newey's Departure
Jonathan Wheatley's departure marks the end of an era for Red Bull. As the team's representative in dealings with the FIA, Wheatley played a crucial role in steward interactions and in lodging appeals or protests during race weekends. His move to Sauber, which is preparing for its rebranding as Audi, aligns with the ambitious plans of the Swiss-based team to rise through the ranks of Formula 1.
Adding to the transition turbulence, Adrian Newey, the legendary designer behind many of Red Bull's championship-winning cars, is set to start working for Aston Martin just ahead of the 2025 season. Newey's departure is a significant loss, and Red Bull will need to harness all their internal talent to fill his massive shoes.
Conclusion
Red Bull Racing's latest restructuring demonstrates a forward-thinking strategy to preserve its competitive edge. By promoting from within and widening the responsibilities of their most experienced staff, they aim to adapt to the changing landscape of Formula 1 while continuing their impressive run of success. With Gianpiero Lambiase at the helm of racing activities, supported by a capable team of rising leaders, Red Bull is poised to tackle future challenges head-on.