Red Bull Racing and McLaren have officially confirmed the high-profile move of Gianpiero Lambiase, currently Max Verstappen’s race engineer, who will join the Woking-based team starting from the 2028 Formula 1 season. Lambiase will take on the role of Chief Racing Officer and will report directly to team principal Andrea Stella.
The speculation lasted less than a day, as confirmation arrived earlier this afternoon from both Red Bull Racing and McLaren. Gianpiero Lambiase has accepted McLaren’s offer, which is understood to be highly competitive both in terms of responsibilities and financial package.
Until then, Lambiase will continue in his current roles at Red Bull Racing through the end of the 2027 Formula 1 season, when his contract with the Milton Keynes-based team expires.
Red Bull announced the departure in a brief official statement: “Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that GianPiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, at the conclusion of his current contract.”
“GP is a highly valued member of the team and has been part of our family since 2015. Until his planned departure, GP will continue in his roles as Head of Racing and as Max Verstappen’s race engineer.”
“The team and GP remain fully committed to adding further success to our already impressive track record.”
By honoring his contract through 2027, Lambiase will be able to join McLaren without serving a gardening leave period, ensuring a smooth transition into his new role.
From 2028, Lambiase will assume the position of Chief Racing Officer at McLaren, a role that currently falls within the responsibilities of Andrea Stella alongside his duties as team principal. In this new structure, Lambiase will report directly to Andrea Stella, who has played a key role in bringing McLaren back to championship-winning form after a prolonged period without titles.
This move represents another major addition for McLaren, further strengthening a team that already includes several former Red Bull figures, most notably technical director Rob Marshall. The recruitment strategy reflects McLaren’s ambition to build a long-term, championship-winning structure.
In its own statement, released shortly after Red Bull’s announcement, McLaren said: “McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella.”
“The Chief Racing Officer role already exists within the team structure and oversees the overall leadership of the race team. These responsibilities are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as Team Principal.”
“Lambiase is the latest appointment aimed at strengthening and supporting the talented group within McLaren Mastercard, while reinforcing the team’s long-term commitment to maintaining its position as a championship-winning contender.”
“The team’s ability to attract and secure top-level talent such as Lambiase, along with previous hires including Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, combined with the retention and promotion of highly skilled individuals already within the organization, reflects the strong strategic vision and culture embedded within the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, both of whom are committed to long-term contracts.”
“The team looks forward to welcoming GianPiero Lambiase at the conclusion of his current contract, no later than 2028.”
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