Yuki Tsunoda plays hidden role as Red Bull choose Max Verstappen’s new engineer

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As Red Bull prepare for the exit of Gianpiero Lambiase, they enlisted the help of Yuki Tsunoda to help Max Verstappen’s next race engineer prepare for the role.

With Lambiase set to depart Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028, there has been a lot of talk about how this move would impact Max Verstappen and his future with the team.

Many believed that Verstappen would follow Lambiase to McLaren, given how he feels about his long-time race engineer.

Jos Verstappen doubts Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull because of Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure like he vowed in 2021 – Who do you think should replace GP?

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In recent days, Red Bull have decided to name Gianpiero Lambiase’s replacement as Tom Hart, who previously served as Max Verstappen’s performance engineer before transitioning into a bigger role.

And in preparing Hart to take over Verstappen’s race engineer, the team relied heavily on Yuki Tsunoda to help him gain some valuable experience.

READ MORE: Gianpiero Lambiase’s future McLaren move is already a ‘thorn in the side’ for Red Bull

Max Verstappen’s next race engineer gained valuable experience through Yuki Tsunoda

According to Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf, who has close connections to Max Verstappen’s camp and Red Bull, Tom Hart was quietly being groomed to take over for Gianpiero Lambiase over the last few months.

As part of this process, Hart, who had previously filled in for Lambiase as Verstappen’s race engineer at the Italian Grand Prix, was asked to serve the same role during test sessions.

Red Bull has conducted a few tests this season with reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda behind the wheel. In these test sessions, Hart served as Tsunoda’s race engineer.

Even before Lambiase’s departure was formalised, it appears Red Bull had been preparing for their long-time race engineer to leave by getting his successor ready.

Verstappen has hinted Hart will replace Lambiase later this year, at least a few times, so to make the transition period a little easier.

READ MORE: Gianpiero Lambiase recalls ‘intimidating encounter’ with Max Verstappen after Red Bull promotion

Max Verstappen is struggling through difficult transition period with Red Bull

With him set to leave the team, Red Bull have stopped sharing confidential information with Lambiase, which may have played a part in Verstappen’s struggles this season.

With so many changes taking place at Red Bull, Verstappen finds himself in a very tough position, as the team is undergoing several changes.

Over the last few years, Red Bull have lost several key figures that contributed to their four years of dominance at the start of the 2020s.

But as things stand, the Dutch driver has not given any indication that he is looking to or planning to leave the team, even with all the rumours surrounding his potential exit.