In preparation for the 2024 Formula 1 season, the RB racing team, recently undergoing a rebranding, has announced substantial changes to its F1 team structure. These changes involve adding three seasoned technical and trackside experts, a strategic move to advance beyond their eighth-place finish in the 2023 constructor’s championship.
Among the new additions is Alan Permane, who previously served as the Sporting Director at Alpine. Permane, having left Alpine mid-season last year, is set to assume the role of Racing Director at RB, effective immediately. He will report directly to Laurent Mekies, the newly appointed Team Principal.
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Permane brings with him an extensive history in F1, having worked with the Enstone-based team in various capacities, including during its tenure as Renault, Lotus, and Benetton. This experience spans over 34 years. In his new position at RB, Permane will oversee all engineering activities at the race track.
“After a few months of downtime, it’s great to return to racing again with the Visa Cash App RB team,” said Permane. “From long experience, I know how professional, driven and competitive the people within this race team are and I can’t wait to see where that spirit can take the team in the future.”
Additionally, Tim Goss is set to join as the Chief Technical Officer in October, following his recent tenure as the Technical Director at the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body.
With a career spanning 28 years at McLaren, Goss has progressed through various roles, starting as an Assistant Race Engineer and eventually ascending to positions such as Head of Vehicle Performance, Chief Engineer, Director of Engineering, and ultimately Technical Director in 2013.
“I am delighted to join [RB] at the start of its new era of competition,” said Goss, who helped to deliver a hatful of drivers’ titles with Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.
“It’s a team with great pride and heritage, with some exceptional people already in place, and I’m looking forward to working with Team Principal Laurent Mekies and alongside Technical Director Jody Egginton. There’s an exciting challenge ahead of us but I think the team is well-equipped to meet that head on.”
Boasting over 15 years of Formula 1 expertise gained at Lotus, McLaren, and most recently Red Bull Technology, Cattelani will concentrate on Aerodynamics, Vehicle Performance, and Technology. His role will involve setting car performance targets and leading operations to meet these goals.
“It’s fantastic to have this opportunity to take the [RB] team to the next level of competitiveness,” said Cattelani. “I’m really looking forward to working with Jody and all of the other members of the technical team to create machinery that drives the team forward and takes us towards the front of the grid.”
Team CEO Peter Bayer, speaking about the new hires, remarked: “These appointments represent a strong step forward for [RB]. The appointments of Guillaume and Alan will boost capability in design and development of our cars and in performance at the track.
“Then, with Tim’s arrival in October, we will have put in place the key elements of a structure designed to take us on the next phase of our journey and ensure the long-term success of the team.”
Team Principal Mekies added: “The appointments of Tim, Guillaume and Alan add a vast amount of winning expertise to the Team, and I have no doubt that they will help take the team to the next level in F1.
“We already have a very strong and hugely experienced group at the Team and bringing onboard highly-skilled individuals like Tim, Guillaume and Alan will boost our capability and help us meet the highest technical standards at [RB], both at the factory and at the track.”
Expressing his views on the recent changes, the current Technical Director Egginton stated: “I’m very much looking forward to working with both Tim and Guillaume.
“In the coming months Guillaume’s focus on aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics will allow us to hone and develop this year’s car and add capability going forward, while Tim’s arrival will absolutely give us the structure we need to create cars that will elevate the team’s performance even further in the coming years.”
Source: Formula1.com
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