While it is doubtful that Max Verstappen (pictured winning at Monza in 2025) could spring one of the surprises of the season in the Red Bull RB22 dog, Red Bull has confirmed that Tom McCullough will join the team at the beginning of 2027 as its new Head of Racing.
Earlier, it was reported that he was the replacement for Gianpiero Lambiase as he repares to move to McLaren.
“We’re delighted to welcome Tom to the Team at the beginning of 2027 and look forward to the wealth of experience and expertise he will bring to the role,” Red Bull said.
The confirmation comes as Red Bull heads to Monza with renewed optimism that Max Verstappen could spring one of the surprises of the season.
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers told De Telegraaf that the low-downforce characteristics should suit the RB22 dog particularly well. “Basically, it’s almost impossible to predict how the Italian GP weekend will go,” he started.
“But I’m certain that Red Bull can compete with Max. They are incredibly strong on tracks with low downforce.”
Verstappen was also competitive at Spa, another circuit where straight-line efficiency matters heavily. “Max’s car is fast on the straights,” said Albers, “so I believe they will be competitive in Italy.”
“I believe that Max can pull off one of the big surprises of the 2026 season at Monza.”
Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren Third placed Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren and Pierre Wache, Technical Director of Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate on the podium with Champagne during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 07, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //
Albers also noted that championship leader Kimi Antonelli is facing a grid penalty to accommodate the ADUO upgrade. “In my view, Max has a good chance in Monza also because Antonelli has to serve his penalty for installing new engine parts,” said the Dutchman.
After Monza, however, Albers expects Verstappen’s title challenge to become much more difficult.
“In my view, it will likely come down to a duel between Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes and Lando Norris in the McLaren.”
Norris arrives at Monza having won the last two races, in Hungary and Zandvoort, but McLaren itself is warning that the Italian circuit could shuffle the competitive order.
Technical director Neil Houldey said: “We know we have had a quick car at the last few races, but we are not taking anything for granted.”
“This is a very different track from the most recent ones, and we can expect a pecking order that not necessarily reflects what has been seen in Hungary and in the Netherlands.”
McLaren has also confirmed that its so-called H-Wing – its version of the ‘Macarena’ rotating rear-wing concept – will make its race-weekend debut at Monza after being tested in Hungary.
“This weekend, we have brought what we believe is needed to be competitive, including a new low-drag rear wing specification, including the first use of our H-Wing,” Houldey said.
The team says the system’s name is a deliberate reference to the famous 2010 F-duct, this time taking the “H” from Etihad Airways branding on the rear wing.
Marko doubts Verstappen can win at Monza
(GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has poured cold water on hopes that Max Verstappen can win at Monza, while also criticizing the new engine regulations that have placed Red Bull-Ford at the top of the FIA’s power-unit ranking.
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Osterreich, the former Red Bull advisor said the Italian GP is probably arriving too soon for the team to consider victory.
“On the short Zandvoort circuit, we were four or five tenths of a second behind,” said the 83-year-old. “That’s an eternity.”
“Winning will be difficult.”
Marko instead pointed to later races as better opportunities.
“Our best chance might be in Texas, Las Vegas, or Mexico,” said the Austrian.
He also took issue with the FIA’s current development handicap system – ADUO – after Red Bull-Ford twice emerged as the benchmark power unit.
“These regulations are outdated and need to be changed immediately,” said Marko.
“The powertrain consists of an internal combustion engine, electric motor, software, and battery. Red Bull certainly doesn’t have the best powertrain.”
Marko said the chassis development path has also hurt the team.
“They didn’t start so badly, but then things went in the wrong direction,” he said.
“If you develop in the wrong direction twice, it becomes financially difficult with the cost-cap regulations.”
When asked how much Adrian Newey’s departure had hurt Red Bull, Marko defended the remaining technical group.
“The team already proved last year, when they narrowly lost the World Championship without Newey, that they’re capable,” he said.
“But as you know, I’m just a spectator from afar now.”
He also admitted Verstappen’s heavy Zandvoort crash gave him a scare.
“I was quite startled when the car was sideways,” he said. “Thank goodness there was some distance to the cars behind, and luckily Lawson reacted really well.”
“If someone drives into a car that’s sideways like that, it can be really dangerous.”
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