Racing crew taking shape as Red Bull finally settles two key personnel questions behind the scenes – As preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season gather pace, Red Bull Racing appears to have brought clarity to two important personnel questions.
After weeks of speculation about the future of Max Verstappen’s long-standing race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, fresh media reports suggest that continuity will prevail, at least for now. Meanwhile, the team has reportedly finalised the race engineer assignment for rookie Isack Hadjar, completing another part of its evolving driver support structure.
Lambiase is set to remain in his role amid heavy speculation
For much of the past month, Lambiase had been at the centre of intense paddock rumours. Various scenarios were discussed, ranging from a different role within Red Bull Racing to potential moves to Aston Martin or Williams. Given his reputation as one of the most influential race engineers in Formula 1, any change involving Lambiase was always going to attract attention.
However, according to a report by motorsport.com, these scenarios are now off the table for the foreseeable future. The website states that he will continue in his current position through to the end of the 2026 season, remaining Max Verstappen’s trusted voice on the radio, often described as his ‘ear man’ during races.
This effectively ends the immediate uncertainty surrounding one of the most successful driver–engineer partnerships in recent F1 history.
While the report suggests that a departure at some point in the future cannot be ruled out, it also makes clear that no move is imminent. Autosport had previously reached a similar conclusion, reinforcing the idea that Red Bull is keen to preserve stability during a crucial transitional period for the sport.
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Contract status leaves future options open
However, Lambiase’s long-term future remains a topic of interest. He is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2027, providing both parties with a degree of security. According to reports, the engineer has not yet made a definitive decision about working for another team later in his career.
While Red Bull has succeeded in keeping a key figure in place for the next phase of its project, this leaves the door open to a potential change further down the line. For now, though, the focus remains firmly on continuity and performance.
Hadjar’s race engineer confirmed
In addition to resolving the Lambiase situation, Red Bull Racing has reportedly made a final decision regarding Isack Hadjar’s race engineer. According to GPBlog, Richard ‘Woody’ Wood has been selected to work with the highly rated newcomer.
Wood brings recent experience to the role, having served as Yuki Tsunoda’s race engineer last season. This suggests that Red Bull wants to surround Hadjar with someone who is familiar with integrating young drivers into the team’s demanding environment.
Last season, Wood took on the role after Hugh Bird, who had previously worked with several Red Bull drivers, including Sergio Pérez. This choice highlights Red Bull’s preference for promoting proven internal talent rather than seeking external candidates.
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Continuity as a guiding principle
Taken together, these decisions point to a clear strategy from Red Bull Racing: to minimise disruption while building towards the future.
By retaining Lambiase and pairing Hadjar with an experienced engineer, the team appears intent on balancing stability with renewal as it shapes its racing crew for the seasons ahead.
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NEXT ARTICLE – McLaren’s controversial “papaya rules” about to change after a title-winning season & growing backlash from drivers and pundits
McLaren’s divisive ‘papaya rules’ to change? – The McLaren team’s comeback has been a remarkable Formula One tale. Having ditched Ron Dennis, the legendary team owner and principal in 2017 McLaren’s fortunes have been on the rise.
Dennis was obsessed with being a works based team with an engine supplier solely dedicated to the McLaren cause. And with long term partner Mercedes deciding to adventure once again into owing a team in 2010, this left McLaren on the back foot.
To be fair to Dennis when the new V6 hybrid era began in 2014, the power unit manufacturers who owned teams were allowed preferential treatment under the FIA’s rules. This meant their team would get any PU upgrades first, with customers having to wait until the factory could build enough.
Papaya rules dominate 2025 headlines
All this has now changed since Mercedes’ dominant era and F1 customer teams now must be given the same specification of powertrains that the manufacturers run in their own car. But for McLaren, Dennis’ adventure with Honda was a disaster and saw the team finish a lowly 9th in the constructors’ championship in 2017.
Zak Brown was subsequently appointed CEO of McLaren Racing and their fortunes have been on the up ever since. They are the first ‘customer team’ to win the constructors’ title since Brawn GP in 2009 and for two seasons now have dominated their PU supplier Mercedes.
Yet despite their second team title and Lando Norris maiden F1 championship, McLaren are a team under scrutiny. Much of which comes from their decision to make public their rules of combat between the drivers. ‘Papaya rules’ often dominated the headlines in 2025, with Oscar Piastri finally admitting the team orders in Monza affected his mentality and ultimately his title chance.
The papaya rules are McLaren’s rule book for their drivers which state the team comes ahead of any individual glory, emphasising no contact should be made and the drivers must respect whatever…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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