Audi Promotes Ex-Verstappen Chief Mechanic to Team Manager

Audi has elevated Lee Stevenson, Max Verstappen's former chief mechanic at Red Bull, to the role of Team Manager. The move is a significant step in bolstering the team's leadership with proven championship-winning experience ahead of its highly anticipated F1 debut in 2026.

Why it matters:

• Poaching a key figure from a dominant team like Red Bull signals Audi's serious intent to compete at the front from the outset.
• Stevenson brings nearly two decades of top-level experience and a winning culture that is invaluable for a brand-new outfit.
• This isn't an isolated hire; it's part of a clear strategy to build a formidable team, with fellow ex-Red Bull stalwart Jonathan Wheatley already installed as Team Principal.

The details:

• Stevenson's Track Record: The Briton spent almost 20 years with Red Bull, serving as the chief mechanic for Verstappen's championship-winning campaigns before joining Sauber in May 2024.
• New Role: After joining as Sauber's chief mechanic, Stevenson has now been promoted to Team Manager, a crucial operational leadership position for the Audi project.
• Red Bull Connection: He joins Jonathan Wheatley, who left his role as Sporting Director at Red Bull to become Audi's Team Principal, creating a powerful core with extensive experience from a top-tier team.
• Technical Progress: The Audi power unit was fired up for the first time on the dyno in December, marking a critical milestone in its development.
• On-Track Debut: The team will conduct its first shakedown with the new car this Friday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

What's next:

• Audi will give the public its first look at the 2026 livery during a launch event in Berlin on January 20.
• The team has set a long-term target of becoming a championship-challenging squad by the 2030 season, and these key hires are the foundational steps toward that ambitious goal.