Red Bull Appoint Aston Martin Engineer McCullough As Lambiase Replacement

Red Bull have strengthened their technical leadership with the appointment of Tom McCullough as head of racing, confirming he will join the team at the start of the 2027 season.

Red Bull appoints McCullough for 2027

The move marks another significant reshuffle within the organisation as it continues to rebuild following a series of high‑profile departures.

Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s long‑time race engineer, currently holds the role but is set to leave for McLaren, where he will become chief racing officer.

McCullough’s arrival is seen as a major coup.

A respected figure across the Formula 1 paddock, he has spent more than a decade with the Aston Martin operation through its Force India and Racing Point eras, and previously worked at Williams and Sauber.

Red Bull said they “looked forward to the wealth of experience and expertise he will bring,” emphasising the importance of his leadership as the team enters a new competitive cycle.

A return to frontline racing

McCullough was moved away from Aston Martin’s Formula 1 programme in early 2025 as part of a structural overhaul, taking up a role within Aston Martin Performance Technologies.

His switch to Red Bull brings him back into race‑team operations, where he will oversee all trackside performance under team principal Laurent Mekies.

The appointment comes amid wider managerial changes at Red Bull following exits from Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall and strategy chief Will Courtenay.

The expected move of chief engineer Paul Monaghan to Cadillac adds further urgency to Red Bull’s restructuring efforts.

Lambiase future still in discussion

McCullough’s arrival may also influence negotiations over Lambiase’s departure timeline.

Red Bull and McLaren have yet to agree on when he will officially switch teams, though his partnership with Verstappen -famous for its blunt and direct radio exchanges - remains one of the most recognisable in Formula 1.

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