Max Verstappen’s new pit crew: twin brothers swap key roles
Red Bull officially kicked off its 2026 season with a flashy presentation in Detroit, putting the spotlight on the team’s new livery and its highly anticipated engine partnership with Ford, which will support the in-house Red Bull power unit. While fans focus on the car, behind the scenes, Max Verstappen’s team is undergoing notable changes.
Staff changes and confirmations
As previously reported, several key personnel in Max Verstappen’s camp are moving on. Track engineer Giampiero Lambiase has decided to stay at Red Bull, but Verstappen lost his chief mechanic, Matt Caller, who has moved to Audi alongside engine engineer David Mart. Control engineer Michael Manning has also left the team, while performance engineer Tom Hart is reportedly joining Williams, although he is expected to remain officially with Red Bull for 2026.
Twin brother succession in the pit box
Dutch journalist Erik van Haren from De Telegraaf revealed details about the new faces joining Max Verstappen’s crew this season. Most notably, Jon Caller, the twin brother of departing Matt Caller, will step into the role of chief mechanic. Jon is no stranger to Red Bull, having been with the team since 2018, and since 2024 he has served as chief mechanic for Verstappen’s teammates, including Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda. The transition keeps a sense of continuity for Verstappen, who should quickly adapt to working with Jon in the pit box.
Other key additions
In addition to Jon Caller, Geoff Ayton will move to Verstappen’s garage as the new Control Systems Engineer after previously supporting Max’s teammates. The identity of the new engine engineer replacing David Mart has not yet been revealed, leaving one important piece of the puzzle still open for the reigning world champion’s 2026 season preparations.
With these changes, Max Verstappen’s 2026 pit crew blends experience with fresh faces, ensuring the team is ready to defend its title and continue its dominance in Formula 1.
The restructuring of Max Verstappen’s crew for 2026 represents a calculated effort by Red Bull to maintain technical stability amidst a wider organizational exodus. By promoting Jon Caller to replace his twin brother Matt, the team is banking on a “muscle memory” transition that minimizes the adjustment period for the driver. However, with several veteran engineers like David Mart and Michael Manning departing for rivals, the synergy between Max Verstappen and his new-look garage will be under intense scrutiny during the opening rounds. As the Dutchman trades his #1 for the #3, his success in F1’s new “electric” era will depend on whether this revamped support system can replicate the telepathic efficiency of the crew that carried him to four consecutive titles.
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