Phil Prew Assumed Role at Red Bull Power Trains
The veteran engineer has transitioned into the engineering director position at the Red Bull Power Trains project.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Motorsports
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Phil Prew, a veteran of both McLaren and Mercedes, has taken on the role of engineering director for the Red Bull Power Trains project. His appointment follows a series of internal shifts at the team, coinciding with Max Verstappen's recent win at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Why it matters
Prew brings extensive experience to the team, having spent nearly two decades at McLaren and eight years at Mercedes. His history includes serving as race engineer for Lewis Hamilton during the 2008 world title win and contributing to four consecutive world championships between 2017 and 2020.
Prew served as performance application director for six months ending in July 2024 and concluded his tenure as technical operations director at the end of 2025. He has directly contributed to the success of five world titles throughout his career.
The players
Phil Prew
He is a long-time Formula One engineer who has held senior technical roles at McLaren, Mercedes, and now Red Bull Power Trains.
Max Verstappen
He is a professional racing driver who recently secured a victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton
He is a decorated Formula One driver who won the 2008 world title while working with Prew.
The details
Phil Prew moved through several leadership roles at Red Bull before reaching his current position, including serving as performance application director and technical operations director. He is credited with overseeing the development and trackside support of Mercedes power units during his tenure there.
Timeline
Phil Prew joined McLaren in 1997.
Prew started at Red Bull Power Trains in 2022.
The performance application director role ended in July 2024.
The technical operations director tenure concluded at the end of 2025.
Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
This staffing shift integrates high-level technical expertise into the Red Bull Power Trains project as they look to maintain dominance after recent successes. It positions the organization to continue its aggressive development cycles while rivals attempt to close the performance gap.
The addition of an experienced director suggests a focus on the stability of power unit development for future seasons. Fans and analysts will watch how this leadership change influences the performance metrics of the car moving forward.
The takeaway
Phil Prew represents a significant transfer of veteran technical knowledge between the sport's top teams. His movement highlights how crucial engineering leadership remains in achieving long-term competitive success in modern racing.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments on the track in our Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GPfans.
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