Red Bull is reportedly close to making a second major hiring to its Formula 1 ranks in as many weeks, in the shape of a replacement for Gianpiero Lambiase.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has been noted for losing several notable members of its technical team in the last couple of seasons, with Lambiase’s next in line.
Max Verstappen’s race engineer and close friend was announced to be making a high-profile move to McLaren earlier this year, and will link up with the papaya outfit “no later than 2028.”
Lambiase’s departure has additionally fuelled speculation about the Dutchman’s whereabouts next season, with additional speculation of a potential switch, also to McLaren.
If the four-time World Champion is to remain with Red Bull, it is likely the Lambiase-shaped hole will be filled by Tom Hart, who has apparently opted against moving to Williams to take up the coveted position.
But it appears that this plan could, to some extent at least, be altered.
German publication BILD has reported that Tom McCullough, who is set to depart Aston Martin as its Performance Director, will take up Lambiase’s position.
McCullough, who spent 13 years with the team – as part of its previous guises as Racing Point and Force India – was reported as to be departing earlier this week.
It is not known that, if the reports are true, whether McCullough would just take up the position supposedly taken by Hart, or it would be – or as well as – the role of Head of Race Engineering, a role Lambiase has also held since 2022.
If the signing is confirmed, then it will be Red Bull’s second major coup since the summer break commenced.
Two weeks ago, it confirmed the acquisition of Gwen Lagrue, previously the Driver Development Adviser for Mercedes and the man reputed to be responsible for the unearthing of current F1 championship leader, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Lagrue has taken a new role with Red Bull in its junior programme, effectively replacing Helmut Marko, who retired at the end of 2025.
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