Max Verstappen will work with a new race engineer for half of Formula 1’s remaining 2026 rounds, as Red Bull phases Gianpiero Lambiase out ahead of a McLaren move.

Lambiase, Verstappen’s long-time engineer and Red Bull’s head of race engineering, covers every one of the Dutchman’s 73 wins and four titles, but is expected to depart by 2027–28.

Further context on Lambiase’s move to McLaren outlines the timing and seniority of the role.

Tom Hart, a senior member of Verstappen’s group, steps in for three events after shelving a planned Williams move once Lambiase’s exit became public in April.

Hart runs the United States, Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix in 2026, while Lambiase remains on the pitwall for Mexico City, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull has already restricted Lambiase’s access to core meetings as the exit nears, a standard competitive safeguard to limit knowledge transfer to a direct rival.

The alternating approach blends succession planning with continuity, giving Hart race-operations time while retaining a familiar voice for Verstappen across the other weekends.

That balance matters because driver-engineer chemistry influences pace, tyre offsets, and decision-making under pressure, especially with marginal setups likely late in the year.

Verstappen and Lambiase rank second all-time as a pairing, behind Hamilton and Peter Bonnington’s 83 wins and six titles at Mercedes.

The run-in features Austin on October 25, Mexico City on November 1, Interlagos on November 8, Las Vegas on November 22, and Qatar on November 29.

Abu Dhabi closes the season, where any marginal operational gains could prove decisive under parc fermé and race-control constraints.

This measured transition aligns with Red Bull’s evolving race plan and reduces shock effects that often accompany late-season staffing changes.

Recent form supports stability: Verstappen’s Singapore pole underscores execution levels, even as the radio voice changes at selected rounds.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.