Red Bull Racing has announced the appointment of Tom McCullough as its new head of racing, effective from the start of the 2027 Formula 1® season. McCullough will take over the role from Gianpiero Lambiase, who is set to leave Red Bull and join McLaren in 2028 as chief racing officer.
McCullough joins Red Bull after a long tenure at Aston Martin, where he served as performance director until the end of 2024. Prior to that, he was the chief race engineer for four seasons during the Force India and Racing Point eras. His extensive experience in Formula 1® also includes roles at Reynard, Sauber, and Williams.
Gianpiero Lambiase currently holds a dual role at Red Bull, acting as both Max Verstappen’s race engineer and head of racing. His move to McLaren will see him report directly to team principal Andrea Stella. The transition marks a significant change in Red Bull’s engineering leadership ahead of the 2027 season.
In 2025, McCullough’s Formula 1® responsibilities at Aston Martin were handed over to Mike Krack, while he shifted to a senior leadership position within Aston Martin Performance Technologies focusing on non-Formula 1® projects. His return to a frontline racing role with Red Bull highlights the team’s confidence in his expertise and experience.
This appointment comes as Red Bull continues to manage key personnel changes within its technical and race engineering departments. While McCullough’s specific plans or strategies for Red Bull have not been disclosed, his background suggests a strong foundation in race engineering and performance development.
The move also reflects ongoing shifts within the Formula 1® paddock, with experienced engineers moving between top teams. McLaren’s recruitment of Lambiase as chief racing officer indicates their intent to strengthen their technical leadership, while Red Bull’s acquisition of McCullough aims to maintain continuity and expertise in their racing operations.
Tom McCullough’s start as head of racing at Red Bull in 2027 will coincide with Lambiase’s departure the following year, marking a clear timeline for leadership transition. This change is notable for fans following the careers of key figures behind the scenes in Formula 1® and for those tracking team dynamics beyond the drivers and race results.