Red Bull has appointed Tom McCullough, a 50-year-old British engineer, as their head of racing starting in 2027. McCullough is replacing Gianpiero Lambiase, who is moving to McLaren to take on the role of chief racing officer, though the exact timing of this transition is not yet specified, with the move expected to happen by 2028. In a statement, Red Bull expressed confidence in McCullough's ability to bring valuable experience and expertise to the role, which he will assume at the beginning of 2027. McCullough is a well-regarded figure in Formula 1, having spent over a decade with the team now known as Aston Martin. During his time there, the team operated under different names, including Force India and Racing Point. Before joining Aston Martin, McCullough worked at Williams and Sauber, two other prominent F1 teams. In January 2025, a restructuring at Aston Martin moved him from the F1 race team to their performance technologies division, a shift that marked a change in his responsibilities within the organization. McCullough’s new role at Red Bull will involve overseeing all aspects of the race team under team principal Laurent Mekies. This is a crucial position, as it encompasses strategy, engineering, and the overall performance of the team on the track. His appointment comes at a time when Red Bull and McLaren are reportedly in discussions about a potential settlement that could allow Lambiase to leave earlier than previously planned. Lambiase has gained significant attention in recent years for his role as Max Verstappen’s race engineer and for the direct, sometimes unfiltered communication between him and the Dutch driver during race events, often heard over the team radio. His departure could mark a significant shift for both Red Bull and McLaren, as his relationship with Verstappen has been a defining aspect of the team's performance and public image.