Racing
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Red Bull has added longtime Ferrari insider Gino Rosato with immediate effect as a freelance consultant, with RacingNews365 reporting that he is already in the paddock for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
The appointment gives Red Bull a figure with nearly three decades of Ferrari experience at a time when the team is still rebuilding its structure. Rosato spent the bulk of his Formula 1 career at Maranello from the mid-1990s until 2023, and RacingNews365 says he is expected to attend around eight to 10 grands prix in his new role.
What makes the move stand out is not only Rosato’s longevity in the sport, but the network he brings with him. He is reported to have a strong relationship with both Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen, adding another layer to his value inside a team trying to steady itself after a period of upheaval. In one reported remark about that connection, Rosato said: “I could write to Max right now and receive a reply within a few minutes.”
Rosato’s background also stretches across several eras of Ferrari. He worked alongside Michael Schumacher during his time at the team and built deep links across the paddock during a long stay in Maranello. That experience matters for Red Bull because this is not a conventional full-time technical hire, but a consultant’s role that can still carry weight through access, relationships and operational know-how.
There is also a direct line to Red Bull’s current leadership. Before leaving Ferrari, Rosato had worked side by side with Laurent Mekies, who is now leading Red Bull’s rebuild. That existing relationship helps explain why his arrival is being viewed as more than a symbolic addition.
Red Bull has been forced into that rebuild after losing several senior figures in a relatively short span. Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley both left in 2024. Christian Horner departed last year, while Helmut Marko also exited the setup. Chief race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is also expected to leave after 2027, with one report stating 2028 at the latest.
Against that backdrop, Rosato’s appointment fits a wider reshaping of the organization under Mekies. Red Bull has already confirmed Ben Waterhouse in a new role as chief performance and design engineer, with Andrea Landi joining as head of performance. Rosato’s arrival adds a different kind of strength, one rooted less in a formal department chart than in long experience, trusted relationships and a paddock profile Red Bull now sees as useful in its next phase.