Red Bull signs former Ferrari commercial chief to key F1 role

Red Bull Racing has hired Paul Gandolfi, a former Ferrari commercial executive, as its new Chief Commercial Officer. The move comes as the reigning world champion team continues to reshape its senior leadership following the departure of long-time team principal Christian Horner, signaling a strategic push to bolster its commercial operations with top-tier talent.

Why it matters:

This appointment represents a significant strategic hire for Red Bull as it navigates a post-Horner era and prepares for the 2026 regulation changes. Bringing in an executive with a proven track record of securing major partnerships—most notably Ferrari's landmark deal with HP—directly targets a key area of modern F1 competitiveness: commercial revenue and sponsor relations.

The Details:

• Paul Gandolfi has reportedly already begun work at Red Bull Racing's headquarters, although the team has not made an official announcement.
• His most recent role was a brief stint at the sports marketing agency Right Formula, but his five-year tenure at Ferrari is the most noteworthy part of his resume.
• At Ferrari, Gandolfi played a pivotal role in securing the team's title sponsorship with technology giant HP, a deal that began in 2024.
  • This partnership ended Ferrari's search for a title sponsor since 2021 and is considered one of the most valuable in the sport.
• The hiring is part of a broader staff revamp at Red Bull, which has recently seen several key executives depart but is now actively recruiting experienced professionals with strong reputations.

By the numbers:

• $100 million: The estimated annual value of the Ferrari-HP sponsorship deal that Gandolfi helped engineer, underscoring the caliber of partnership he is expected to pursue at Red Bull.
• 5 years: Gandolfi's tenure at Scuderia Ferrari, giving him deep experience within the commercial landscape of a top F1 team.
• 2026: The pivotal season ahead, with new technical regulations making commercial stability and partnership investment more crucial than ever for long-term development.

What's next:

Gandolfi's immediate focus will be on leveraging his network and expertise to secure and expand Red Bull's commercial portfolio. His success will be measured by his ability to attract partnerships of a similar scale to the Ferrari-HP deal, providing the team with greater financial firepower. This hire indicates Red Bull's intent to build a commercial powerhouse to match its on-track dominance, ensuring it remains a formidable force in all aspects of Formula 1.