Red Bull Racing has confirmed Tom Hart will serve as Max Verstappen’s race engineer from the 2027 Formula 1 season. This appointment follows the impending departure of Gianpiero Lambiase, who will join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer no later than 2028.
Hart, who has been Verstappen’s performance engineer since January 2020, was initially set to move to Williams. He had agreed to become Alex Albon’s race engineer for the 2027 season.
However, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies intervened. An agreement was subsequently reached with Williams team principal James Vowles for Hart to remain within the Red Bull organisation.
Mekies had previously hinted at such developments during the Austrian Grand Prix. He stated that some personnel who had been subject to transfer rumours had ultimately decided to stay with the team.
Hart joined Red Bull in 2012 and has gained experience in the race engineer role. He deputised for Lambiase during a practice session at the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and recently conducted tests with reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda.
He has also expanded his responsibilities this season, working across both Red Bull cars. The expectation is for Hart to officially commence his role as race engineer at the start of the 2027 season.
To facilitate a smooth transition, Hart may undertake race engineer duties for Verstappen at select events during the latter half of the current 2026 season. Lambiase is anticipated to begin a period of gardening leave prior to his 2028 move to McLaren.
The confirmation of Hart’s role occurs amidst ongoing speculation regarding Max Verstappen’s future. Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2028.
His contract includes a performance clause allowing him to depart for 2027 if he is not within the top two positions in the Drivers’ Championship by the summer break.
Verstappen currently sits seventh in the championship standings. This position means he cannot mathematically achieve a top-two ranking by the summer break, thereby triggering the exit clause.
Despite this contractual provision, Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has indicated that the four-time world champion intends to fulfil his contract with Red Bull until 2028.
Verstappen himself has maintained a focus on current team performance. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has affirmed that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are committed to the team, with Piastri confirming his McLaren drive for 2027 at the Belgian Grand Prix.
