Red Bull has moved to secure the future of one of Formula 1’s most important engineering roles, opting to promote from within in anticipation of GianPiero Lambiase bringing his long and successful partnership with Max Verstappen.
The Milton Keynes-based outfit has confirmed that Tom Hart will eventually step into Lambiase’s shoes as race engineer, extending a philosophy of continuity at a time when key personnel continue to attract interest from rival teams.
The appointment comes as little surprise. Verstappen himself recently hinted that he already knew who would replace his long-time race engineer, and the four-time world champion’s preferred candidate has now officially emerged.
Red Bull blocks Williams move
Hart’s promotion almost never happened. The British engineer had reportedly been on course to join Williams, where he was lined up to become Alex Albon’s race engineer.
But Red Bull intervened before the transfer could be completed, ultimately convincing Hart to remain with the team.
It is a significant retention victory for Red Bull, which has spent much of the past year battling speculation over the futures of several senior technical figures.
Team principal Laurent Mekies had already hinted during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend that not every rumoured departure would materialise.
"If I look at the names that have been circulating in the last few months, most of them are still in the garage. Some had never wanted to leave, some have changed their mind and are staying with us,” he said, quoted by Motorsport.com.
Those comments are now understood to have referred to Hart, whose decision to stay has given Red Bull a ready-made successor for one of the most demanding jobs on the pit wall.
A familiar face steps into a pivotal role
Hart is no stranger to Verstappen's side of the garage. Having spent the past several seasons as the Dutchman's performance engineer, he has already developed a close working relationship with the reigning world champion.
This season, however, his responsibilities have broadened to include work across both Red Bull cars, a move that now looks increasingly like preparation for his next challenge.
The precise timing of Hart's promotion remains undecided and will depend on when Lambiase officially concludes his duties at Red Bull.
Lambiase is set to become McLaren's chief racing officer in 2028, although he is expected to begin a period of gardening leave before taking up that position.
Hart is therefore expected to assume the race engineer role at the start of the 2027 campaign, while also deputising for Lambiase at selected events during the second half of this season.
Red Bull has already begun easing him into the position. Hart recently gained valuable race engineer experience during Isack Hadjar's filming day at Silverstone, providing a first opportunity to rehearse the role before taking it on full-time.
Notably, Hart's promotion is understood to remain in place regardless of Verstappen's future. Should the Dutchman eventually leave Red Bull, Hart would simply become the race engineer of whoever inherits one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1.
While Red Bull has succeeded in retaining one prized engineer, uncertainty still surrounds another.
Chief engineer Paul Monaghan was again absent from the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, fuelling ongoing speculation that he is edging closer to a move to Cadillac in what is expected to be an even more senior position.
Although no formal resignation has yet been submitted, his continued absence from the Red Bull garage suggests another significant change could still lie ahead.
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