Red Bull Phases In New Verstappen Race Engineer
Red Bull is easing Tom Hart into the role of Max Verstappen's race engineer, with the performance engineer set to handle the United States, Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix this season. The move prepares for Gianpiero Lambiase's departure to McLaren. Verstappen joked about coded radio messages during a Singapore communication glitch.
Transition Begins After Singapore Victory
Red Bull confirmed the phased introduction of Tom Hart as Max Verstappen's new race engineer following the Singapore Grand Prix.[1] Hart will engineer the driver for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the Brazilian Grand Prix and the Las Vegas Grand Prix.[2]
Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen's engineer since 2016, is expected to leave Red Bull for McLaren by 2028 at the latest, with some reports suggesting an earlier move in 2027.[3][4]
Radio Glitch Prompts Coded Messages
During the Singapore race a radio fault limited two-way communication. Verstappen and Lambiase relied on improvised signals, including periods of silence or noise from the driver, to convey pit strategy decisions. Verstappen later joked about the workaround.
The team views the remaining races as valuable integration time for Hart and Verstappen ahead of a full handover in 2027.
Related reading
- [1]Max Verstappen to have new Red Bull race engineer in Austin ahead of Gianpiero Lambiase exit (f1oversteer). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [2]Max Verstappen reveals special Singapore Grand Prix moment Gianpiero Lambiase could be his last (gpfans). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [3]Red Bull finds GianPiero Lambiase replacement as Williams move abandoned (planetf1). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [4]'Stupid to stand in his way' – Red Bull's Max Verstappen reacts to Gianpiero Lambiase's McLaren move (formula1). Accessed 2026-10-11.