Red Bull F1 teams reshuffle technical line-ups amid slow 2026 start

Red Bull Racing has promoted Ben Waterhouse to chief performance and design engineer and recruited Racing Bulls' Andrea Landi as head of performance from 1 July. Dan Fallows, announced in January, has now started as technical director at Racing Bulls. The changes come as both teams struggle early in the 2026 season.

Red Bull announced on Friday a series of technical promotions and hires to strengthen its teams' performance.

Long-serving head of performance engineering Ben Waterhouse has been promoted to chief performance and design engineer at Red Bull Racing. He will bridge the design and vehicle performance departments, reporting to technical director Pierre Wache. The team highlighted that the role 'strengthens integration between these areas and will accelerate the development of competitive, high-performing solutions'. It also reflects Red Bull's 'continued focus on developing internal talent while attracting leading expertise from across the sport'.

To replace Waterhouse as head of performance at Racing Bulls, deputy technical director Andrea Landi—who previously headed design there—will join Red Bull on 1 July.

Landi's move is part of a wider reshuffle at Racing Bulls, where Guillaume Cattelani, responsible for car performance, is also departing.

Meanwhile, Dan Fallows—previously announced in January after gardening leave from Aston Martin—has begun his role as overall technical director at Racing Bulls, reporting to chief technical officer Tim Goss. Team boss Alan Permane said: 'Dan has a wealth of experience, and his technical understanding and leadership will be a real asset to the team.'

Currently, Red Bull is sixth in the constructors' standings with 16 points after three grands prix, its best result a sixth place for Max Verstappen in Australia. Racing Bulls is seventh, two points behind, having scored on every weekend so far.

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News illustration of Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase signing with McLaren as chief racing officer for 2028.
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McLaren hires Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase for 2028

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McLaren has confirmed the signing of Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's long-time race engineer at Red Bull, as its chief racing officer no later than 2028. Red Bull verified that Lambiase will depart when his contract expires at the end of 2027. The move follows McLaren's previous hires of other Red Bull personnel.

Racing Bulls principal Alan Permane stated that Alpine's jump to fifth in the 2026 Formula 1 constructors' standings is expected, given their focus on the new car. The team shifted resources from their 2025 challenger last May, finishing last that year but now ahead of Red Bull after three grands prix. Permane anticipates upgrades to boost Racing Bulls in the midfield battle.

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McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has criticized Formula 1's 'A team and B team' model, saying it risks compromising the sport's integrity. He pointed to recent staff moves between Red Bull and its sister team Racing Bulls as examples of potential unfair advantages. Brown called for greater independence among the 11 teams to maintain fan trust.

Racing Bulls will introduce two upgrades at upcoming Formula 1 races in Miami and Montreal, originally planned for the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix. The changes stem from the enforced April break due to the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian events amid Middle East conflict. Team principal Alan Permane described it as a 'quick double hit.'

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Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has admitted the team is paying the price for its late 2025 title push with Max Verstappen, as resources were diverted from its 2026 car. The RB22 has been the fourth-quickest so far this season, trailing Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. Despite the setback, Mekies insists the team does not regret the decision and expects to recover.

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