Red Bull has begun putting a succession plan in place for Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, with Tom Hart identified as a possible future replacement alongside the Dutch driver. According to RacingNews365, the Milton Keynes team has devised a strategy for the final six races of the 2026 Formula 1 season that will see Lambiase and Hart alternate in the race-engineer role.
The arrangement represents the first concrete step towards managing a potential future change around Max Verstappen, while allowing Tom Hart to build experience working directly with the four-time world champion before any permanent transition takes place.
Tom Hart to work with Max Verstappen at three races
The new programme is set to begin at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, where Max Verstappen will be supported by Tom Hart. Hart is then expected to perform the same role in São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and again in Las Vegas.
The objective is to allow Hart to begin building a working relationship with Max Verstappen while becoming more familiar with the dynamics and responsibilities involved in operating alongside the Red Bull driver during a race weekend.
Austin will therefore provide the first opportunity to assess the new arrangement, with Formula 1 heading to the 2026 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas for the opening event of the planned rotation.
Gianpiero Lambiase remains in place for Mexico, Qatar and Abu Dhabi
Gianpiero Lambiase, widely known in the Formula 1 paddock as “GP”, will continue to carry out his usual duties alongside Max Verstappen at the remaining three events covered by the plan. He is expected to work with the Dutch driver in Mexico, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
By splitting responsibilities across the final six Grands Prix, Red Bull is aiming to maintain continuity while making any eventual change of role more gradual. Lambiase has been a central figure alongside Max Verstappen for years, making the management of a possible transition particularly significant for the team.
Red Bull and McLaren discussions shape Lambiase’s future
Meanwhile, Gianpiero Lambiase’s future remains the subject of discussions between Red Bull and McLaren. The ongoing talks are aimed at defining the terms of a possible move while avoiding major organisational disruption.
Against that backdrop, Red Bull’s decision to involve Tom Hart more directly represents an important first step in its longer-term planning. Rather than waiting for a definitive change, the team can begin preparing another engineer to work closely with Max Verstappen while Lambiase remains involved.
Red Bull starts preparing for life after Lambiase
The six-race rotation means Max Verstappen is set to complete the final part of the 2026 season working with two different figures on the other end of the radio. Tom Hart will take responsibility in Austin, São Paulo and Las Vegas, while Gianpiero Lambiase will remain in place for Mexico, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
For Red Bull, the arrangement offers a way to protect continuity around Max Verstappen while beginning to prepare for the possibility of a future without one of the key figures in his long-standing trackside team.
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