Red Bull Racing has outlined key succession plans for crucial team roles, signaling its approach to maintaining stability and competitiveness in the evolving landscape of Formula 1®. These developments, announced during the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix weekend, focus on the transition of Max Verstappen’s race engineer and the leadership of the junior driver programme.
Tom Hart, who was previously set to move to Williams as Alex Albon’s race engineer, will now remain with Red Bull to succeed Gianpiero Lambiase as Verstappen’s race engineer starting in 2027. Lambiase is expected to join McLaren in 2028, with a period of gardening leave anticipated before that move. Meanwhile, Red Bull is preparing to fill the role of its junior driver programme head with Gwen Lagrue, a respected talent scout from Mercedes known for signing drivers such as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Lagrue will succeed Helmut Marko, who stepped down at the end of 2025, although her exact start date at Red Bull has not been confirmed.
These personnel changes reflect Red Bull’s dual succession strategy, as explained by team principal Laurent Mekies. The team aims to promote internal talent where possible, as demonstrated by Hart’s retention, while also recruiting external expertise to strengthen key areas, exemplified by Lagrue’s hiring. This approach is designed to ensure continuity and reinforce Red Bull’s driver development pipeline through Racing Bulls and its junior programme, where promising talents like Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad, and Nikola Tsolov are progressing.
Red Bull’s succession plans come amid a period of notable departures, including key figures such as Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall, and Jonathan Wheatley. Mekies expressed confidence in the team’s “strength in depth” and its ability to remain competitive despite these changes. The retention of Hart as Verstappen’s race engineer is particularly significant, as Verstappen’s future with Red Bull may depend on his trust in the team’s personnel and environment. Should Verstappen decide to leave, Hart is expected to continue as race engineer for another driver within the team.
The move to bring in Gwen Lagrue from Mercedes also highlights Red Bull’s commitment to nurturing future talent through its junior programme. Mercedes is managing Lagrue’s departure internally, and while no official start date at Red Bull has been announced, the transition marks a strategic effort to maintain a robust driver development system. This is crucial for sustaining Red Bull’s competitive edge in the highly demanding world of Formula 1®.
Overall, these succession plans underline Red Bull Racing’s focus on balancing internal promotions with targeted external recruitment. By doing so, the team aims to safeguard its operational stability and competitive performance in the seasons ahead. The developments around Verstappen’s race engineering support and the leadership of the junior programme provide insight into how Red Bull is preparing for a future beyond the current generation of key personnel.
Laurent Mekies’ remarks emphasize the importance of a strong talent pool and organizational depth as Red Bull navigates these transitions. The team’s strategy reflects a measured approach to succession, ensuring that both race engineering and driver development remain priorities as the sport continues to evolve.
