Red Bull has initiated a series of internal promotions within its Formula 1 car design team following several notable engineering departures, most recently highlighted by Max Verstappen’s engineer opting for a position at McLaren.
The team, which Verstappen guided to four consecutive drivers’ championships from 2021 to 2024 and two constructors’ titles in 2022 and 2023, is responding to a disappointing start in F1’s new car design era.
Last week, it was revealed that GianPiero Lambiase, Verstappen’s engineer and the current head of racing at Red Bull, will be transferring to McLaren once his contract expires in 2028, although an earlier agreement between the teams could be reached.
Red Bull’s announcement on Friday aimed to enhance its “focus on performance and innovation” within its technical department. The release was titled: “Red Bull Racing strengthens technical leadership team.”
The technical team will continue under the leadership of technical director Pierre Wache, who will now be supported by Ben Waterhouse, the former head of performance engineering, promoted to chief performance and design engineer, overseeing design and vehicle performance.
Starting July 1, Andrea Landi, currently the deputy technical director at Racing Bulls, will take on the role of head of performance at Red Bull, working under Waterhouse.
This internal shift parallels the promotion of current Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies from the junior team to the senior squad after the dismissal of former team principal Christian Horner in July 2025. Presently, Red Bull ranks sixth out of 11 teams in the 2026 constructors’ standings, having not placed higher than sixth in any of the three races this season.
