Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is to be promoted to a more senior role as part of a Red Bull restructuring following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley.

Wheatley will leave his role as sporting director of the Milton Keynes-based team after the 2024 season, with the long-serving Briton taking up the role of team director at Stake, which will transform into Audi in 2026.

Needing to replace Wheatley, Red Bull have decided to split their duties, with Verstappen’s long-time engineer Lambiase set to be promoted for a second time after previously serving as head of race engineering alongside his usual duties with the three-time world champion.

Lambiase will become head of racing, with the new role taking overall responsibility for the teams, heritage and car building, and heading Red Bull’s think tank on strategy and sporting regulations. He will continue to design Verstappen.

He will report to technical director Pierre Wache, with current senior strategy engineer Steve Knowles becoming interim head of sport – focusing on legal matters and reporting to Lambiase.
Further restructuring at Red Bulls

In addition, Rich Wolverson will see his role expanded from current senior engineer – car engineering to head of team operations, responsible for the day-to-day running of the race and heritage teams.

Like Knowles, he will report to Lambiase, as will new head of team support and logistics Gerrard O’Riley – who is currently managing director of freight.

Chief mechanic Phil Turner has also been promoted to head of factory operations for the team, reporting to Wolverson.