Verstappen race engineer Lambiase set for extended role with RBR

Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, is set to take on an expanded role at Red Bull Racing as part of a broader restructuring of the team’s Formula 1 trackside operations.

According to Motorsport.com, Lambiase will step up into the newly created position of Head of Racing, a move that comes as the team prepares for the departure of sporting director Jonathan Wheatley at the end of the season.

Wheatley is set to leave Red Bull to take over as team principal at Sauber. However, the Milton Keynes-based outfit has opted not to directly replace Wheatley but to redistribute the latter’s responsibilities among several individuals.

Red Bull reportedly informed staff of the changes during a factory briefing on Wednesday morning, signaling a shift in how the team will handle its trackside and operational duties moving forward.

While Lambiase will continue to call the shots from the pit wall as Verstappen's race engineer, he will now also oversee all of Red Bull’s racing activities and manage all personnel under his authority.

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The move signifies Red Bull's confidence in his leadership abilities, but overseeing a team within the team will be a significant undertaking.

However, Lambiase won't be alone in this restructuring. Former senior strategy engineer Stephen Knowles will now be tasked with heading up Sporting Regulations, and will report to Lambiase.

As Red Bull strives for absolute adherence to F1's complex rulebook, Knowles will become the point person for liaising with the FIA, ensuring the team stays within legal boundaries and avoids costly penalties.

Another key name in the revised structure is senior engineer Richard Wolverson, who will take on the newly created role of Head of Racing Operations.

While the specifics remain under wraps, it appears his focus will be on streamlining trackside operations, ensuring smooth communication and efficient execution during race weekends.

Furthermore, Gerrard O'Reilly, Red Bull's head of freight operations, will now take full control of team logistics. This move is critical in the cost-capped era of Formula 1, where efficient logistics management can significantly impact a team's bottom line.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained the rationale behind the changes/

“We are in the midst of a period of significant change and development at Oracle Red Bull Racing, and in light of the challenges to come, we have made the decision to alter the structure of the race team,” he said, quoted by Motorsport.com.

With these new roles in place, Red Bull aims to better position itself for future challenges, balancing competitive edge with the operational demands of modern Formula 1. Lambiase’s expanded role, alongside the restructuring of responsibilities, is seen as key to maintaining Red Bull’s dominance as they navigate upcoming seasons.

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