Dan Fallows Returns to the Red Bull Family — Now as Technical Director of Racing Bulls
Dan Fallows, one of Formula 1’s most respected aerodynamic experts and engineers, is making a noteworthy comeback in the sport — but not in quite the way many expected. After a difficult chapter with Aston Martin, he has now signed on as the new Technical Director of Racing Bulls, a sister team to Red Bull Racing. This move signals a return to the wider Red Bull group where he spent a large portion of his career, and positions him to play a central role in shaping the future of one of F1’s ambitious teams.
A Storied Career in Formula 1 Engineering
Dan Fallows has been a fixture in Formula 1 engineering for more than two decades. His journey began with Jaguar Racing in the early 2000s before he joined Red Bull — a team where he made his most significant impact. At Red Bull, Fallows worked his way up through the aerodynamics department and eventually became Chief Engineer of Aerodynamics, a key role in a period when the team was dominating the sport. During his time there, Red Bull secured multiple Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, with cars that were consistently strong and competitive thanks in large part to their aerodynamic performance.
Fallows’ reputation in the paddock was built on this success: he was credited with helping develop cars that were not just fast, but intelligent in how they managed airflow, balance, and performance. This period cemented his standing as one of the sport’s leading technical minds, and made him a valuable figure in engineering circles.
The Aston Martin Chapter — A Complex and Challenging Fit
In 2021, Fallows made a big career shift by agreeing to join a growing Force in Formula 1 — Aston Martin. The move was controversial at the time and caused friction between the two teams because of contractual obligations, including a period of “gardening leave” where he was not allowed to immediately start working for Aston Martin after leaving Red Bull.
The idea behind his hiring was ambitious: Aston Martin wanted to accelerate its development and become a true contender near the front of the grid. Fallows brought with him a wealth of Red Bull experience and the promise of fresh technical leadership. In his first year, there were signs of progress. The team secured several podium finishes and showed strong performances, especially with driver Fernando Alonso producing standout results in the 2023 season.
However, the next couple of seasons did not go as smoothly. As Aston Martin’s performance stagnated and began to fall relative to its rivals, the team’s leadership made the decision to part ways with Fallows at the end of 2024. Industry reports suggested that the 2024 car struggled under development, with upgrades failing to deliver the competitive edge the team had hoped for. This led to significant internal changes and ultimately to Fallows’ departure.
During this period, reports described his exit not just as a professional transition but almost as a public “nightmare,” reflecting how starkly expectations had fallen from the hopes placed on his technical leadership.
Back Into the Red Bull Surround — Joining Racing Bulls
After leaving Aston Martin and spending some time working independently in engineering consulting, Dan Fallows has now accepted a pivotal role with Racing Bulls, a team based in Faenza, Italy that is backed by the Red Bull organization and uses the same power units that Red Bull Racing developed in conjunction with Ford.
Fallows’ role will be as Technical Director, and he will report to Chief Technical Officer Tim Goss. In this position, his responsibilities will span nearly every aspect of the team’s technical direction: from the design and aerodynamics of the car to performance development and how the squad responds to competitors’ innovations.
This isn’t a return to Red Bull Racing’s main team — where Fallows spent most of his earlier career — but it is a significant and strategic appointment. Racing Bulls is looking to climb higher in the Constructors’ Championship, and Fallows’ experience could be crucial as they develop future cars to compete more consistently toward the front.
Team Principal Alan Permane has publicly praised Fallows’ vast experience and leadership qualities, suggesting that his technical insight will help the team not only progress but become more competitive in the seasons ahead. Permane said that Fallows brings with him deep knowledge and capacity to guide technical evolution, which Racing Bulls hopes will translate to better performance on track.
Significantly, part of this role includes involvement in projects beyond the immediate 2026 car. Because technical development in F1 is a multi-year process — where regulations, airflow characteristics, and design philosophies evolve — Fallows is expected to influence the team’s approach well into future seasons, including chassis development and next-generation aerodynamic solutions.
Industry Implications — A Shift in Technical Power
Fallows’ move highlights several larger trends in Formula 1’s technical landscape:
Technical talent mobility: High-level engineers like Fallows don’t often move between teams lightly, especially after long stints with championship-contending organizations. His switch from Red Bull to Aston Martin and now to Racing Bulls underscores how sought-after experienced technical leadership is in the sport. Strategic alignment within Red Bull’s ecosystem: Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls operate within the same broader corporate umbrella. Placing someone of Fallows’ caliber at Racing Bulls could be seen as an effort to align engineering philosophies more closely across both teams, potentially leading to shared innovation or stronger performance for both sides. Aston Martin’s technical restructuring: Fallows’ departure from Aston Martin was followed by other major technical leadership changes at that team — including the signing of legendary designer Adrian Newey in late 2025 — indicating that Aston Martin is determined to revamp its engineering direction for future competitiveness.
Looking Forward
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches with new regulations and updated technical frameworks for all teams, Dan Fallows’ presence at Racing Bulls could be a meaningful factor in how that team evolves. Whether he can help Racing Bulls close the gap to the front and compete for higher positions is a storyline many fans and analysts are watching closely.
In summary:
Dan Fallows was a long-time Red Bull aerodynamic expert and technical leader. He moved to Aston Martin in 2022 as Technical Director, where initial promise gave way to team struggles. His departure from Aston Martin led to a period away from the sport. In 2026, he’s now joining Racing Bulls as Technical Director, returning to the Red Bull family and taking on a central technical leadership role. This appointment reflects both his experience and the team’s ambitions to grow competitively.
