Red Bull Racing has recently garnered attention for its aggressive recruitment strategy, successfully attracting around 60 employees from other Formula 1 teams following significant personnel changes. In 2024, the team saw the departure of key figures such as Adrian Newey, their chief technical officer, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and head of strategy Will Courtenay. While Wheatley fulfilled his duties until the end of the season and Courtenay’s move to McLaren won’t take effect until 2026, the losses still echoed through the organization.
In response to these high-profile exits, Red Bull chose to promote existing talent from within their ranks. Gianpiero Lambiase, who served as the race engineer for reigning champion Max Verstappen, was elevated to the role of head of racing. This position allows him to oversee the racing operations while continuing with his regular responsibilities—a testament to the team’s commitment to internal development.
The recent escalation in staff turnover has prompted Red Bull to bolster its workforce significantly. According to reports by Dutch publication de Telegraaf, the team has successfully lured an impressive cohort of around 60 employees from rival teams, enhancing their competitive edge. Previously, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, had indicated that the team had taken over 200 staff members from Mercedes High-Performance Powertrains to support their in-house Red Bull Powertrains division. However, Mercedes contested this figure, clarifying that most of those reported were short-term contractors and not full-time staff members.
As Red Bull prepares for the 2025 F1 season, they are also undergoing changes in their driver lineup. Liam Lawson, who previously raced for the Racing Bulls, has been promoted to partner with Verstappen following the termination of Sergio Perez due to an underwhelming performance during the 2024 season. This shift in talent signals Red Bull’s intent to remain formidable in the upcoming challenges.
