Red Bull Racing Shakes Up engineering Team Ahead of 2025 Season
Red Bull Racing has announced a series of strategic changes too its engineering lineup, with Richard Wood stepping into the role of race engineer for Liam Lawson, who is set to join the team as an F1 driver in 2025. This move comes as part of a broader reorganization of the team’s trackside operations, following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, who has taken on a new challenge with Sauber.
Richard Wood: A Rising Star in Red Bull’s Engineering Ranks
Richard Wood, a long-term Red Bull employee, has steadily climbed the ranks within the team. Starting as a strategist, wood transitioned to trackside operations through roles in racing support and simulator engineering. His promotion to race engineer for Lawson marks a significant milestone in his career.
Wood gained valuable experience in 2024 when he temporarily filled in for Hugh Bird, Sergio Perez’s regular race engineer, who was on childcare leave. This stint on the pit wall proved instrumental in preparing Wood for his new role.
A New Era for Red Bull’s Trackside Operations
The departure of Jonathan Wheatley, who has been with Red Bull Racing for years, has prompted a shift in the team’s approach to trackside management. Rather than replacing Wheatley with a single individual, Red Bull has opted to distribute his responsibilities among multiple team members.
Jean-Pierre Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, has taken on a more prominent role as race manager. While Lambiase continues to oversee Verstappen’s engineering needs, he now also manages daily race operations and contributes to strategy development.
Steve knells, head of the sporting department, has assumed some of Wheatley’s duties, including interaction with race control. This new system aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency within the team.
Liam Lawson’s Realistic Expectations
Liam Lawson, who will join Red Bull Racing in 2025, has set realistic goals for his debut season. In a recent interview with PlanetF1, Lawson acknowledged the challenges of competing alongside Max Verstappen, who has solidified his status as one of F1’s modern greats with four consecutive world titles.
“To confront Max, you need to be realistic,” Lawson said. “He is the fastest man on the grid, and you cannot expect to be more than half a second behind in qualifying. that’s just not going to happen.”
Lawson views his partnership with Verstappen as an invaluable learning opportunity. “It’s a great chance for me to work alongside an experienced world champion. He’s been with the team for a long time and has played a significant role in the car’s development. Everything is written on paper for driving methods, and I’m excited to learn from him.”
Key Changes in Red Bull’s Engineering Team
| Role | Name | New Responsibilities |
|————————–|———————-|——————————————————————————————|
| Race engineer (Lawson) | Richard Wood | Overseeing liam Lawson’s engineering needs |
| Race Manager | jean-Pierre Lambiase | managing daily race operations and strategy development |
| Sporting Department Head | steve Knells | Handling communication with race control and other sporting duties |
| Chief Strategist | Will Courtenay | Remaining on Red bull’s pit wall until mid-2026, when he moves to McLaren |
Looking Ahead
Red Bull Racing’s reshuffle reflects the team’s commitment to maintaining its competitive edge in formula 1. with Richard Wood stepping into a key role and Liam Lawson preparing for his debut, the team is poised for an exciting 2025 season.
As Lawson aptly put it, “This is a chance to learn from the best. I’m ready to take on the challenge and make the most of this opportunity.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Red Bull Racing’s preparations for the 2025 F1 season. for the latest news and insights,visit F1-Gate.
