The 2024 season has been destabilizing for the Red Bull team. What started with sheer domination soon turned into a nightmare. While the team is currently struggling on track, the issues off track are proving to be more concerning. The RBR management is distorted due to internal unrest. As a result, the rivals have alleged the RBR team members are sending applications to other teams.
One such name who recently left the Milton Keynes-based outfit was Jonathan Wheatley. The Red Bull’s sporting director was poached by a new F1 team, Audi. He will leave the team in 2025 without clarity over the gardening period. Further, Wheatley will be Audi’s team principal, leaving a massive void for the RB team. However, the team has found a solution to fill the vacancy without a new signing.
Red Bull To Reassign Responsibilities After Jonathan Wheatley’s Exit
Audi’s announcement of Jonathan Wheatley as its team Principal sent shockwaves through the RBR management. The Austrian team is already in jeopardy due to the ongoing power struggle. Further, an iconic car designer like Adrian Newey left the setup in May. Thus, this news dropped bombshells on the Milton Keynes facility, which now had to create a new team structure. The reigning Constructors’ Champions decided to revamp the team structure, as hiring a new face was not part of the plan. This was because of Whetaley’s expertise as a sporting director, who has guided the squad through every situation. Thus, he is not easy to replace. Moreover, Newey and Jos Verstappen have accused the team of mistreating the senior personnel. Therefore, this approach is to reward the loyalty of its key personnel.
According to the latest announcement, Gianpiero Lambiase will continue to be Max Verstappen’s race engineer and will assume a broader range of responsibilities as head of racing. Lambiase has been a race engineer since 2015, and this opportunity could solidify his career at Red Bull. The new role will require him to take responsibility for the race, build a team, and communicate with the strategy and sporting regulations. Moreover, a senior race strategy engineer, Steve Knowles, will act as the Sporting Head, reporting all the regulatory matters to Lambiase. Further, the senior race engineer, Rich Wolverson, will be the operational head of the race team, working under Lambiase. Lastly, the current chief mechanic, Phil Turner, will take on a new role as the team’s factory operations manager.
Christian Horner Heaps Praise On Max Verstappen’s Race Engineer
Christian Horner praised Gianpiero Lambiase, who will take on a new role. Horner said Lambiase is a racer and has been a core part of the team. Nevertheless, the Briton feels his fellow Englishman is ideally suited for the role, and his experience with the squad will be highly beneficial. Moreover, Horner affirmed that GP won’t be distracted from being Verstappen’s race engineer. Instead, he will shine even brighter with more responsibility on his shoulders.