P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar know who their chief mechanics will be in 2026. In Hadjar’s case, it will be a new Red Bull acquisition.
Red Bull has appointed mechanic Mike Payne to Isack Hadjar’s team, taking over from Jon Caller.
The team has undergone significant changes ahead of the 2026 F1 season, especially for Max Verstappen’s crew.
Matt Caller, Verstappen’s former chief mechanic, has left to join Audi, leading to Jon Caller assuming his position.
Mike Payne, transferring from Aston Martin, fills the position left open by Jon Caller, officially joining Red Bull this month.
Verstappen continues to work with Gianpiero Lambiase, while Hadjar has been paired with Richard Wood for the upcoming season.
Wood, a Red Bull veteran since 2012, has taken on various roles within the team, most recently working with Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda last year.
