Red Bull Racing undertakes major engineering shuffle

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Guillaume 'Rocky' Rocquelin, Red Bull's long-standing head of race engineering will be moving on to a new role after this weekend's Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull has confirmed.

A loyal member of the bull's squad since 2006, Rocquelin began his tenure at Milton Keynes as David Coulthard's race engineer, with the Frenchman later working alongside Sebastian Vettel, helping guide the German to his four consecutive world championships.

In his current role, the 47-year-old engineer also oversaw Max Verstappen's run to the world title last season.

In Melbourne, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner confirmed that Rocquelin will be applying his expertise in the future for the benefit of the energy drink's young driver programme.

"The engineering team is continuing to evolve, especially as we have to look at efficiencies with the budget cap and so on," Horner said.

"Rocky has done an amazing job trackside for us over the years, race engineering Sebastian to all of his race victories and World Championships, and obviously leading the engineering team to last year's success as well.

Read also: Only 'logical' for Red Bull to hold talks with Porsche - Horner

"He is going to evolve and take on a new role working with our plethora of young drivers, where we'll be looking to utilise all his experience, working with so many drivers and with so much engineering background.

"[He will] continue to develop the Red Bull drivers and very much take a leading role in that project and how they integrate into Red Bull Racing, and applying scientific tools to that as well."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.