Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Tom Hart will be the voice in Max Verstappen's ear at the United States Grand Prix, and new reports say Verstappen himself was the reason Hart stayed at Red Bull instead of joining Williams.
Hart was initially set to join Williams as Alex Albon's race engineer, but when Verstappen made his preference for Lambiase's successor known internally, Red Bull did everything it could to reverse that move and retain Hart, who was swayed to stay after Verstappen expressed him as his preference, according to reports.
Verstappen's preference put at the centre of the decision
Earlier accounts focused on the team boss with reports that Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies intervened.
In July, it was positioned as Hart's own choice, saying the performance engineer opted against a move to Williams to remain with Red Bull.
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Mekies could have stepped in and Hart could have changed his mind, all because the team's star driver had said who he wanted.
Austin is the first of three tests
The 2026 United States Grand Prix takes place on the weekend of 23-25 October at the Circuit of the Americas. As GPblog reported in Verstappen to miss Lambiase for three Grands Prix after emotional Singapore win, Hart takes over in Austin, Brazil and Las Vegas.
Lambiase won't disappear for those weekends. Red Bull say he will still be present at the circuit during those weekends, carrying out his duties as Head of Racing.
When Hart takes over for good is still open. There is no official date yet for when Hart will permanently take over from Lambiase, although Red Bull is in discussions with McLaren about Lambiase's start date and his gardening leave.
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Verstappen is playing down expectations for the weekend. He said: "I don't want to say now that I will be in the fight in Austin," adding: "The last few weekends have been great, but I just take it race by race."
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