Red Bull Complete New Max Verstappen Garage Line-up for F1 2026 – Report

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen has now received full clarity over the key personnel on his side of the Red Bull Racing garage ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, following a series of notable departures at the end of the 2025 campaign.

Toward the closing stages of last season, it was confirmed that three members of Verstappen’s core technical group would be leaving the team. Those exits triggered an internal reshuffle within Red Bull as the Milton Keynes-based outfit prepares for a critical season aligned with the introduction of the new technical regulations.

According to De Telegraaf, Verstappen’s former control engineer Michael Manning, who departed after the conclusion of the 2025 season, has been replaced by Geoff Ayton. Ayton previously worked with Verstappen’s teammates and is familiar with Red Bull’s operational structure, having briefly worked directly with Max Verstappen last season when Manning was unavailable.

Changes have also taken place on the power unit side. Verstappen’s engine engineer David Mart has left Red Bull to join Audi ahead of its Formula 1 entry. His replacement is expected to come from within Red Bull’s engine department, although the team has not yet confirmed the identity of the new engineer.

Another departure involves performance engineer Tom Hart, who is set to move to Williams. However, Hart will remain with Red Bull for the time being as part of a transition period, ensuring continuity during the handover phase ahead of the 2026 season.

Verstappen has also been assigned a new first mechanic following Matt Caller’s move to Audi, where he will take on the role of chief mechanic. The position remains within the Caller family, with Jon Caller—Matt’s twin brother—stepping into the role on Verstappen’s side of the garage.

Jon Caller is a familiar figure within the Red Bull environment, having previously served as first mechanic on the opposite side of the garage while working with Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda. His prior experience within the team structure is expected to ease the transition amid wider personnel changes.

Despite mixed reports during the winter break, Red Bull has retained stability in one of the most critical roles. Gianpiero Lambiase will continue as Verstappen’s race engineer for the 2026 season, maintaining a partnership that has been central to Verstappen’s recent championship success.

The completion of Verstappen’s revised garage line-up underscores Red Bull’s focus on balancing continuity with necessary change as the team enters a new regulatory era. With several long-standing personnel moving on, the effectiveness of these replacements will be closely scrutinised as Verstappen targets further championship success in 2026.