P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi’s recruitment Formula 1 drive is ramping up with the signing of Max Verstappen’s number one mechanic to a role for 2026
Audi is intensifying its recruitment efforts for its Formula 1 team by hiring Max Verstappen’s chief mechanic for the 2026 season to bolster its operations and make a substantial impact in the sport.
The team has been making strategic moves, such as bringing on board key personnel like Matt Caller, who was a lead mechanic at Red Bull and will now be part of Audi’s F1 project.
Audi has also successfully attracted top talent from Ferrari, including key figures like Wolf Zimmermann and Lars Schmidt, to strengthen its power unit development and performance engineering departments.
In addition to these hires, Audi is expanding its race team personnel with seasoned professionals like Caller, who has played a crucial role in Verstappen’s championship successes.
Audi’s team principal, Jonathan Wheatley, is leading the efforts to assemble a strong team and infrastructure as they prepare for their F1 debut next year.
While there have been no official announcements, sources suggest that Caller will transition to Audi by the end of the current season and may assume the role of chief mechanic, with current chief mechanic Lee Stevenson likely to be promoted within the organization.
