Red Bull F1 team reshapes after key departures in 2023

Red Bull Racing is undergoing a significant restructuring of its engineering team following the departures of key figures Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. Newey, a renowned design expert, is set to join Aston Martin, while Wheatley will transition to Audi. In response to these changes, team principal Christian Horner has promoted Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's race engineer, to the newly created position of Head of Racing. Lambiase will maintain his role during race weekends while overseeing all racing activities and personnel. Additionally, Stephen Knowles has been appointed as the new Head of Sporting Regulations, tasked with ensuring compliance with FIA regulations. Richard Wolverson, previously a senior engineer, will take on the role of Head of Racing Operations. Horner emphasized the importance of these appointments in enhancing the team's capacity and competitiveness amid a challenging period. The restructuring comes at a time when Red Bull has faced a notable decline in performance, having gone winless in their last seven races, with their last victory dating back to the Spanish Grand Prix in June. This downturn has resulted in the team losing its lead in the constructors' standings to McLaren. As the Singapore Grand Prix approaches, the team is under pressure to improve its performance and regain its competitive edge. Horner's focus on promoting internal talent reflects a commitment to leveraging the existing capabilities within the organization to navigate the challenges ahead.