In a major shake-up within the Red Bull Racing team, Richard Wood, former performance engineer for Sergio Perez, has been appointed as the new race engineer for up-and-coming Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson for the upcoming 2025 season. This move comes after Wood filled in for Perez’s regular race engineer, Hugh Bird, multiple times in 2024 while Bird was on paternity leave. Wood, a seasoned Red Bull employee, initially joined the team as a strategist before transitioning to race support and simulator engineering roles. Now, he takes on the crucial role of Lawson’s race engineer as the young Kiwi driver makes his mark on the lead Red Bull-owned team.
Red Bull’s Trackside Restructuring
Following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, there have been significant changes in Red Bull’s trackside operations. Gianpiero Lambiase, who previously served as Max Verstappen’s race engineer, has assumed a larger role within the team. Wheatley, who is set to start a new venture with Sauber earlier than planned on 1 April, is currently on gardening leave and no longer part of the Red Bull Racing team. In response to Wheatley’s departure, Red Bull has redistributed his responsibilities among various team members, with Lambiase taking on an expanded role as the head of racing operations.
Team Restructuring and Responsibilities
While Lambiase retains his position as Verstappen’s race engineer, he has been entrusted with additional responsibilities that involve overseeing the entire team. Specifically, Lambiase now leads the daily race operations and plays a key role in strategic decision-making. Meanwhile, Will Courtenay, the chief strategist who was previously signed by McLaren, will remain with Red Bull until mid-2026 before transitioning to McLaren. Additionally, Steve Knowles has taken on the role of head of sporting within the new team structure, which includes managing communication with race control.
Despite these changes, the engineering team supporting Verstappen remains unchanged, including senior control systems engineer Michael Manning. Manning and his team are crucial in optimizing Verstappen’s starts, a critical aspect of modern-day Formula 1 racing. Despite rumors of Manning’s potential departure, Red Bull has confirmed that he will fulfill his duties for the entirety of the 2025 season and will not be transferring to another team.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, Red Bull Racing’s team dynamics have undergone significant transformations, with key personnel adjustments aimed at maximizing performance and efficiency on the track. The appointment of Richard Wood as Liam Lawson’s race engineer marks a new chapter for the team, while the expanded roles of Gianpiero Lambiase and other key team members signal a strategic shift in Red Bull’s approach to trackside operations. Amidst these changes, the continuity of the engineering team supporting Verstappen underscores the team’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the upcoming season.
