Chief engineer Michael Manning has officially started working at Williams. The Irishman was an important part of Max Verstappen’s engineering team at Red Bull until the end of last year, but made the switch to Grove for 2026. At Red Bull, Manning was responsible, among other things, for Verstappen’s lightning starts. At Williams, he joins as head race engineer, where he reunites with old acquaintances Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.
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“It is with great pleasure that I announce I have taken on a new challenge as head race engineer at Williams,” Manning wrote on social media this week. “Williams’ technical history is among the most legendary in Formula 1. With nine constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles under its belt, it remains one of the most iconic teams in the sport.” Williams has mostly been at the back in recent years but is working under team principal James Vowles on a sporting comeback. In the long term, the British team hopes to mix it up again with the frontrunners.
Hunger for success
“It is the ambition for the future that drew me to this role,” said Manning. “There is a genuine hunger in Grove to return to the top of the grid, and I look forward to ensuring that the excellent work in the factory translates into clinical execution on the track. The fact that I am joining at such an important moment in the team’s history, especially as we approach Williams’ 50th anniversary, makes this opportunity even more meaningful.”
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The move to Williams also means a reunion with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who both started their careers within the Red Bull ranks. “It is a true pleasure to join Carlos and Alex again, both of whom I have worked with before. I am eager to get started and contribute to the next chapter of this legendary team.” Manning is yet another key figure who has said goodbye to Red Bull and Verstappen. Among others, Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Helmut Marko, and Will Courtenay preceded him.
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