Red Bull F1 News: Reshuffle, Verstappen & Team Updates

Max Verstappen won four consecutive world championships from 2021 through 2024. Now Red Bull sits sixth in the constructors’ standings after three races of 2026, and the team is scrambling to restructure its technical department. A cascade of senior departures has left the Milton Keynes outfit rebuilding mid-season while trying to convince its superstar driver that staying is worth it.

Majority Owner: Chalerm Yoovidhya (51%) · Key Driver: Max Verstappen · Recent Action: Technical department reshuffle · Official Site: Red Bull Racing · News Aggregator: NewsNow

The table below consolidates ownership structure, key personnel, and current status for quick reference.

What is going on with the Red Bull F1 team?

Red Bull Racing is undergoing its most significant technical overhaul in years. A series of high-profile departures has forced the team to rebuild its technical leadership structure while simultaneously trying to reverse a dramatic decline in on-track performance.

Technical department reshuffle

The reshuffle began with the departure of legendary technical director Adrian Newey, who left for Aston Martin. Rob Marshall followed, taking a role at McLaren. Now the team has announced that Andrea Landi, currently Racing Bulls’ deputy technical director, will join Red Bull as head of performance from July 1, 2026. Landi previously worked as deputy head of vehicle performance at Ferrari, bringing experience from two major F1 programs to Milton Keynes.

Pierre Wache continues as Red Bull’s technical director, overseeing the restructuring. Ben Waterhouse takes on an expanded role as chief performance and design engineer, with Landi reporting to him. Waterhouse has been with Red Bull since 2017 as head of performance engineering, and the team believes his expanded responsibilities will strengthen integration between design and vehicle performance departments.

Preparations for Miami GP

With the RB22 proving to be a midfield car in China and Japan rather than part of the lead group, Red Bull faces urgent development challenges. Verstappen and new driver Isack Hadjar both criticized the RB22 extensively, highlighting fundamental handling issues that persist despite winter development. The team’s wind tunnel produces conflicting signals compared to actual track performance, a problem that originated in 2024 and has not been fully resolved.

The RB22 is Red Bull’s first car powered by a new engine developed with Ford. Ford contributed hybrid expertise, produced key components, and introduced new 3D-printing techniques and software to the RB22 development. During pre-season testing in Bahrain, Verstappen adapted by downshifting to first gear at slow corners while most drivers stayed in second—a technique that allows higher engine revs for faster battery recharge and earlier electric power deployment, though it carries greater mechanical stress and higher risk of failure.

Who owns 51% of Red Bull Racing?

Chalerm Yoovidhya owns the 51% majority stake in Red Bull Racing. The Thai billionaire inherited the stake from his father, Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, who passed away in 2023. This makes Chalerm Yoovidhya the largest shareholder in one of Formula 1’s most prominent teams despite the brand being synonymous with Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, who co-founded the company alongside Chaleo.

Chalerm Yoovidhya’s stake

The ownership structure means that despite Red Bull’s global brand presence and Austrian headquarters, the actual controlling stake in the F1 team belongs to the Yoovidhya family. This detail often surprises fans who associate Red Bull primarily with Mateschitz, who died in October 2023.

Who is the girl in the Red Bull F1 team?

Hannah Schmitz serves as Red Bull’s principal strategy engineer and is one of the most senior women in Formula 1 technical roles. She leads race strategy decisions and has been instrumental in some of the team’s most celebrated strategic calls during its dominant era.

Hannah Schmitz’s role

Schmitz joined Red Bull from McLaren and has risen to become a key figure in the team’s decision-making process. Her position at the pit wall during races puts her in direct contact with Verstappen and the race engineers, making her one of the most influential strategists in the paddock.

Why can’t Verstappen leave Red Bull?

Verstappen’s contract runs through December 31, 2028, and contains no clear exit clause. His deal with Red Bull is reportedly worth around $70 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid drivers in Formula 1 history. Breaking that contract would require either mutual agreement or a significant buyout.

Contract challenges

The contractual situation means Verstappen cannot simply walk away from Red Bull. Martin Brundle has warned that it won’t be “easy” for Verstappen to leave the team, even if he wants to. The multi-year commitment and financial implications create substantial barriers to any mid-contract move.

Team efforts to retain

Red Bull is reportedly doing everything possible to convince Verstappen to stay. The team has made significant changes to the technical structure and is working to improve the RB22’s performance. However, Verstappen is reportedly reconsidering his future at Red Bull beyond 2026 due to his dislike of F1’s new regulations, which have fundamentally changed the cars he once dominated.

Who is the Red Bull F1 team principal?

Laurent Mekies currently serves as Red Bull’s team principal, having been promoted from his role at Racing Bulls midway through 2025. He replaced Christian Horner, who was sacked as team principal after a long tenure that included the team’s most successful era.

Current leadership

The leadership change marked a significant shift in Red Bull’s organizational structure. Horner’s departure came amid controversy, though specific details of why he was removed remain unclear. Mekies, a former FIA official, brought a different management style to the role and now leads the team through its most challenging period since 2014.

What the experts say

It won’t be ‘easy’ for Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull.

— Martin Brundle, Sky Sports F1 analyst

The RB22 proved to be a midfield car in China and Japan rather than part of the lead group.

— The Race, F1 analysis outlet

Red Bull won the drivers’ world championship every year from 2021 through 2024.

— Sky Sports F1 coverage

The implication: Red Bull faces a complex balancing act between retaining its star driver and rebuilding technical infrastructure that has eroded during a period of competitive decline.

Related reading: Red Bull Liam Lawson 2026 Decision · Bathurst Start Time NZ

Red Bull’s push to secure Verstappen’s loyalty, highlighted by Red Bull contract through 2028, unfolds against key departures like Newey and a tough 2026 constructors’ forecast.

Frequently asked questions

For readers weighing whether to follow Red Bull through this rebuild, the choice is clear: monitor Landi’s July arrival and the team’s development trajectory through the European season, or watch Verstappen run out the clock on a contract that may keep him somewhere he no longer wants to be.