Red Bull Racing has initiated a significant restructuring of world champion Max Verstappen's inner engineering circle, a direct response to a series of high-profile departures during the 2025 season. This strategic rebuild is deemed essential as the Milton Keynes-based squad braces for the sweeping overhaul of Formula One's technical regulations set for 2026.
New Faces in the Garage
According to a report from Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the team has made several key internal appointments to bolster Verstappen's support network. Jon Caller steps into the crucial role of Verstappen's first mechanic, bringing valuable experience from the other side of the garage where he previously worked with drivers Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson.
Furthermore, Geoff Ayton has been promoted internally to take on the vital position of control engineer. He fills the void left by Michael Manning, who was among several senior figures to exit Verstappen's core team last year.
Addressing the Brain Drain
The 2025 season proved challenging for the stability of Verstappen's camp, witnessing a notable exodus of talent. The Dutch driver's support network lost engine engineer David Mart and performance engineer Tom Hart. In a broader blow to the team's leadership, long-time advisor and mentor to Verstappen, Helmut Marko, retired.
These changes were part of a wider reshuffle that also saw the departures of team principal Christian Horner, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and legendary chief technical officer Adrian Newey from the Milton Keynes operation.
The 2026 Power Unit Challenge
The timing of this engineering reshuffle is critical, coinciding with one of Red Bull's biggest-ever technical undertakings. The 2026 season will mark the debut of the team's first fully bespoke power unit, developed in partnership with Ford.
This move transforms Red Bull from a customer team into a full-fledged power unit manufacturer, adding a substantial layer of technical complexity and uncertainty. The newly assembled engineering team around Verstappen will be tasked with managing this transition seamlessly.
Verstappen's Stance and Future
Max Verstappen has publicly acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, describing the changes to both the car and the engine as "very big." He anticipates a significant period of adaptation will be required during pre-season testing to fully understand the new machinery and extract its peak performance.
While both Verstappen and Red Bull management have sought to temper immediate expectations to alleviate pressure, the team is acutely aware that delivering a competitive car is paramount. Providing a championship-contending package is seen as the key to securing the four-time world champion's services beyond the end of his current contract in 2027.
