Max Verstappen losing his closest Red Bull engineers: only Gianpiero Lambiase left standing. Several key engineers close to Max Verstappen have left Red Bull.

Verstappen’s inner circle breaks apart: only Lambiase remains

The Formula 1 paddock often focuses on high-profile moves involving drivers, team principals, and star engineers. These headline-grabbing announcements tend to overshadow the constant, quieter flow of personnel between teams. Behind the scenes, staff members are regularly recruited by rivals, offered more senior roles elsewhere, or simply choose to relocate for personal reasons. This ongoing movement shapes the competitive landscape far more than fans usually notice.

In recent months, a major shift has taken place inside Red Bull Racing—one that slipped under the radar amid the dramatic departures of figures such as Adrian Newey, Christian Horner, Rob Marshall, and others. Slowly but steadily, several important members of Max Verstappen’s inner technical group have left the Milton Keynes team.

The first to exit was Michael Manning, senior trackside engineer. According to De Telegraaf, two more departures will follow at the end of the year: David Mart, head of power unit operations, and Tom Hart, Max Verstappen’s performance engineer. All three have resigned for undisclosed reasons, effectively bringing an end to the once tight-knit group of four senior figures that supported Verstappen inside Garage No. 1. Of that core group, only Gianpiero Lambiase remains.

These changes reflect a broader and increasingly common trend in modern Formula 1. The sport’s intense calendar now stretches to 24 race weekends per year, keeping team personnel away from home for long stretches. This pressure has contributed to a natural turnover of staff across the paddock.

What stands out, however, is that more and more experienced figures appear willing to accept the challenge—and the salaries—offered by Audi ahead of its 2026 entry. Both Mart and Lee Stevenson, the long-time chief mechanic of Max Verstappen’s car, will join the German manufacturer as it builds its new works operation.

With Max Verstappen’s trusted group slowly dissolving around him, and only Gianpiero Lambiase still at his side, the internal landscape at Red Bull is shifting in ways that could influence the team’s long-term stability. The movement of personnel may not make headlines as loudly as driver transfers, but its impact can be just as significant.

Red Bull’s rebuild isn’t just happening at the top. It’s happening right next to the four-time world champion – and for now, only GP remains.