Red Bull have chosen British engineer Tom Hart to succeed Gianpiero Lambiase as Max Verstappen’s race engineer, according to a report by ESPN.
Lambiase, known to Formula 1 fans as " GP " and the voice behind Verstappen’s radio messages, is set to join McLaren as chief racing officer in 2028. Although the timeline of his departure from Red Bull has not been confirmed, ESPN reported that the team has already settled on his replacement.
Hart, who currently works as a performance engineer at Red Bull, had reportedly accepted an offer from Williams to become Alex Albon’s race engineer from 2027. However, ESPN reported that an enhanced role at Red Bull convinced the Briton to remain in Milton Keynes.
According to Fox Sports, Hart will become Verstappen’s race engineer if the Dutchman stays with the team beyond the end of the season. Should the four-time world champion decide to leave, Hart would instead work with Verstappen’s successor.
Hart is well regarded within Verstappen’s side of the garage, and his expected departure had reportedly been viewed as a factor that could influence the Dutchman’s future, particularly following Lambiase’s confirmed move to McLaren. Fox Sports added that Hart’s decision to stay could reduce the chances of Verstappen activating an exit clause in his contract after this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Lambiase has worked alongside Verstappen since the Dutch driver joined Red Bull in 2016. Since 2025, he has also held the position of head of racing, a dual role created largely to keep him partnered with the reigning world champion.
McLaren announced Lambiase’s arrival in April, but Red Bull have yet to name a successor for his position as head of racing.
Hart’s reported appointment comes as Red Bull continues to deal with the departure of several senior figures. Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Rob Marshall have all left the team in recent years, while chief engineer Paul Monaghan is reportedly on gardening leave ahead of a move to Cadillac.
Speaking after the Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies addressed speculation over staff departures.
" If I look at the names that have been circulating in the last few months, most of them are still in the garage, " Mekies said. " Some had never wanted to leave, some have changed their mind and are staying with us. "
Mekies made the comments in response to questions about Monaghan, who was absent from the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
