Red Bull Racing has disclosed a sweeping reorganization of its technical division, aimed at sharpening the team’s emphasis on performance and cutting‑edge innovation. The changes are intended to deepen the synergy between vehicle design and on‑track performance, accelerating the development of solutions that can keep the squad competitive in the rapidly evolving Formula 1 landscape. At the centre of the reshuffle is Ben Waterhouse, who has been a fixture at Red Bull since 2017, initially serving as head of performance engineering. Waterhouse has now been promoted to the newly created role of chief performance and design engineer, an expanded position that places him directly under technical director Pierre Wache.
In this capacity, Waterhouse will oversee both the design of the car’s components and the overall performance strategy, ensuring that the two disciplines work in tighter concert. According to Red Bull, this integration "strengthens the link between design and vehicle performance and will speed up the delivery of competitive, high‑performing solutions." In addition to Waterhouse’s promotion, the team has announced that Andrea Landi will join Red Bull on 1 July, coming from the sister outfit Racing Bulls. Landi will assume the post of head of performance, reporting directly to Waterhouse. Landi’s résumé includes a recent stint as deputy technical director at Racing Bulls and a prior role as deputy head of vehicle performance at Ferrari, giving him a breadth of experience across top‑tier motorsport engineering.
His appointment is part of Red Bull’s broader strategy to cultivate internal talent while also drawing in proven expertise from across the sport. A formal statement from Red Bull emphasized that the restructuring supports the organisation’s long‑term technical ambitions.
The team highlighted its commitment to nurturing home‑grown engineers and specialists, while also attracting leading minds from rival programmes. The statement read: "These changes support the team's long‑term technical ambitions and reflect its continued focus on developing internal talent while attracting leading expertise from across the sport." The timing of the overhaul comes during a challenging start to the new era of Formula 1 regulations introduced for the 2024 season. Red Bull, once the dominant force in the sport, currently finds itself in sixth place in the Constructors' Championship after three rounds, trailing the early leaders Mercedes by 119 points.
The regulatory overhaul, which introduced larger wheels, revised aerodynamic concepts, and new power‑unit constraints, has forced all teams to rethink their engineering approaches. Red Bull’s decision to tighten the relationship between design and performance departments is a direct response to these pressures, aiming to recover lost ground more quickly. Beyond the internal changes, Red Bull has also been dealing with a wave of departures over recent years.
Notably, Gianpiero Lambiase, who served as Max Verstappen’s race engineer and headed the team’s racing operations, announced last week that he will leave Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028 when his current contract expires. Such moves have underscored the competitive nature of talent acquisition in Formula 1, where engineers and strategists are constantly courted by rival teams. Looking ahead, the team will have the opportunity to test the impact of its new structure at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for 1‑3 May.
This event will also feature the season’s second Sprint race, providing an additional data‑rich environment for the revamped technical staff to evaluate the car’s performance under race conditions. Red Bull will be hoping that the closer collaboration between design and performance teams will translate into faster development cycles, more effective aerodynamic updates, and improved tyre management – all crucial factors in extracting pace on the new generation of cars. The broader Formula 1 community has taken note of Red Bull’s moves.
Analysts suggest that the integration of design and performance functions mirrors strategies employed by other leading teams, such as Mercedes and Ferrari, which have long advocated for a holistic engineering approach. By consolidating leadership under Waterhouse, Red Bull aims to eliminate silos that can delay decision‑making, allowing engineers to iterate more rapidly and respond to on‑track feedback with greater agility. In parallel with the technical overhaul, Red Bull continues to invest in its driver lineup and broader sporting operations.
The team remains committed to supporting Max Verstappen and his teammate in delivering strong race results, even as the championship battle appears increasingly tight. The upcoming races will serve as a litmus test for whether the new hierarchy can deliver tangible performance gains. For fans wanting to follow the action, the Miami Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract.
Additionally, the F1 Show podcast offers in‑depth analysis of the latest developments, and Sky Sports can be accessed via WhatsApp for quick updates. As Red Bull embarks on this technical transformation, the next few months will be crucial in determining if the changes can restore the team’s competitive edge and set the stage for future success in the sport.