Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Tom Hart will take over as Max Verstappen’s race engineer, succeeding Gianpiero Lambiase. This change is set to take effect from the start of the 2027 season, with Hart gaining experience in the role during the latter part of 2026. Lambiase is scheduled to join McLaren as chief racing officer in 2028 and is expected to begin gardening leave before then.
Hart’s appointment follows earlier reports and was officially confirmed by Red Bull. Initially, Hart was expected to move to Williams to become Alex Albon’s race engineer, but Red Bull intervened and convinced Williams to reverse the transfer. Hart has been working closely with Verstappen as his performance engineer for several seasons and has taken on a broader role supporting both Red Bull cars throughout 2026.
The transition aims to maintain continuity within the team’s engineering setup, regardless of Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. Hart will also cover for Lambiase during the second half of the 2026 season as he prepares to fully assume the race engineer responsibilities in 2027. Meanwhile, Lambiase’s move to McLaren will see him take on a senior management role, marking a significant change in his career path.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies has hinted at the importance of retaining key staff during the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, reflecting the team’s focus on stability amid personnel changes. Additionally, chief engineer Paul Monaghan is expected to move to Cadillac in a senior role, though no formal resignation has been announced yet.
Hart’s progression from performance engineer to race engineer represents a natural step within Red Bull’s technical team. His familiarity with Verstappen’s driving style and the team’s operations should help ensure a smooth handover. The decision also highlights Red Bull’s strategy of promoting from within to maintain consistency in their race-day communications and car setup.
While the exact timing of Hart’s full promotion depends on Lambiase’s departure schedule, the plan is clear: Hart will be Verstappen’s race engineer starting in 2027 and will continue in that role even if Verstappen were to leave the team. This approach underlines Red Bull’s commitment to a stable engineering framework as they prepare for the coming seasons.
The move also reflects the ongoing reshuffling within Formula 1® teams’ technical departments, with experienced personnel shifting roles or teams. Lambiase’s upcoming role at McLaren as chief racing officer will place him in a leadership position, contributing to the team’s broader strategic and operational efforts.
Overall, this internal transition at Red Bull Racing is a measured step designed to support Max Verstappen and the team’s competitive ambitions while adapting to changes in key personnel. The continued involvement of Tom Hart in Verstappen’s race engineering signals a focus on continuity and experience within the paddock.