Source – F1oversteer
Red Bull may be undergoing internal restructuring that could impact three-time world champion Max Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase following the team’s shocking announcement to the Formula 1 world this week.
Red Bull F1 has been shaken up with significant departures and potential internal restructuring. Recently, the team announced that their sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, would be leaving the Milton Keynes-based outfit to join Audi’s F1 project as team principal. Wheatley’s departure follows that of another senior Red Bull figure, Adrian Newey, who revealed his exit earlier in 2024.
In the wake of Wheatley’s departure, Red Bull is now strategizing to fill the void left by their sporting director. Reports suggest that the team is considering an internal hire to maintain stability and continuity. This internal shift might involve a restructuring of roles, particularly affecting Max Verstappen, the team’s star driver.
According to Autosport, Red Bull is contemplating splitting the responsibilities of the sporting director position that Wheatley held. A significant portion of these duties could be assigned to Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen’s race engineer. Lambiase, a familiar voice and face to Formula 1 fans due to his frequent radio communications with the three-time champion, has become an integral part of Verstappen’s success. Beyond his role as Verstappen’s race engineer, Lambiase is also Red Bull’s head of race engineering, a position that underscores his expertise and importance within the team.
The potential restructuring raises questions about Lambiase’s future role. While some of Wheatley’s responsibilities might be handed to him, the report suggests that another individual might take on the crucial task of communicating with the FIA. This responsibility is vital, as highlighted by the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where effective communication with the FIA proved critical. Red Bull’s strategy to allocate this responsibility to a dedicated individual during race weekends ensures that no crucial lines of communication are overlooked.
If Lambiase is not tasked with FIA communications, he may continue in his current role as Verstappen’s race engineer. This inference is based on the existing structure and the need for a familiar and trusted presence in Verstappen’s team. However, the exact details of Lambiase’s potential new role remain speculative at this stage.
Red Bull’s decision to consider an internal restructuring rather than an external appointment reflects their confidence in their existing team members. The potential promotion of Lambiase to a more prominent role highlights his invaluable contributions and the trust the team places in him. As the situation unfolds, Red Bull fans and the broader F1 community will be keenly watching to see how these changes impact the team’s dynamics and performance on the track.
