Key Max Verstappen ally reunites with Red-Bull teammates at rival team
One of Max Verstappen's former engineers has reunited with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz at Williams
Williams has signed one of Max Verstappen's longest-serving engineers, Michael Manning, with the Briton set to reunite with former Red Bull drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
Manning spent the best part of 15 years with Red Bull after joining the team in January 2011, where, more recently, he worked as a control engineer on Verstappen's car.
Manning stepped back from his Red Bull role at the end of the 2024 season, although he remained with the team through the 2025 season before officially making his exit.
Confirming his next move on LinkedIn, Manning announced that he will take up the position of chief engineer, trackside engineering, with Williams.
"I’m delighted to share that I’ve begun a new challenge as Atlassian Williams F1 Team’s Chief Engineer – Trackside Engineering," Manning wrote.
"Williams’ engineering heritage is among the most storied in Formula 1. With nine Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ titles to its name, it remains one of the sport’s truly iconic teams.
"However, it is the ambition for the future that drew me to this role. There is a genuine hunger at Grove to return to the sharp end of the grid, and I am looking forward to ensuring the outstanding work at the factory translates into clinical execution at the circuit.
"Joining at such a significant point in the team’s journey, particularly as we approach Williams’ 50th anniversary, makes this opportunity even more meaningful."
Sam joined Crash.net in February 2026 with extensive experience in motorsport media, having covered numerous championships around the world.
