Gianpiero Lambiase will officially leave Red Bull in Formula 1 at the end of his current contract to join McLaren from 2028. The announcement marks the end of a historic partnership that began in 2016 and delivered four Drivers’ World Championships along with a long list of victories. The news has shaken the paddock and confirms the engineer’s desire to take on a new professional challenge. This move represents a key step in McLaren’s long-term expansion strategy.
Verstappen lets Lambiase go to McLaren
Jos Verstappen commented on the situation, explaining that Max Verstappen’s inner circle had been aware of Lambiase’s decision for quite some time. He revealed that they encouraged the engineer to seize the opportunity, seeing it as a deserved and prestigious step in his career. Despite the strong professional bond, the Verstappen family understood the scale of the McLaren offer and supported Lambiase in accepting without hesitation.
Regarding his son’s future, Jos played down earlier comments from Max suggesting that his stay in Milton Keynes depended heavily on Lambiase’s presence. Circumstances appear to have changed after four world titles, and the final decision will rest solely with the driver. Despite the departure of his long-time race engineer, it is likely that Max will continue his racing career regardless of internal changes within the team.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown reacted to the signing via social media, expressing strong enthusiasm for bringing such an experienced and successful figure into the team. He highlighted that Gianpiero Lambiase will report directly to Andrea Stella while maintaining significant autonomy in race operations. Brown welcomed him as a key addition to an already championship-winning structure following two consecutive title successes.
McLaren: Andrea Stella remains in charge
Zak Brown’s strategy aims to build a true “dream team.” The arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase as Chief Racing Officer will allow Andrea Stella to delegate more strategic leadership on race weekends while focusing on broader responsibilities. This organisational vision is believed to have convinced Lambiase to turn down strong interest from both Aston Martin and Williams in recent months. The Woking-based team is therefore confirming itself as the most attractive destination for top minds in modern Formula 1.
For Red Bull, losing Lambiase represents another major blow to a technical structure that has already seen several key departures. After Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and Rob Marshall left, the Milton Keynes outfit appears increasingly stripped of its core foundation. The departures and internal changes involving figures such as Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have accelerated what many see as an ongoing dismantling process.
The McLaren operation closes an aggressive recruitment cycle that has already delivered constructors’ titles and a drivers’ championship with Lando Norris. Gianpiero Lambiase brings with him enormous experience built over more than a decade at the very top of the sport. The final transition will take place by 2028, giving Red Bull time to prepare for a complex technical restructuring. Woking has secured one of the most highly regarded figures in the paddock.
Another hint toward Verstappen’s F1 exit?
For Max Verstappen, this is another difficult development to accept, even if he effectively gave the green light for Lambiase’s move. The Dutch driver is reportedly frustrated with F1 2026 and, perhaps anticipating the direction of travel, chose not to block his engineer’s departure, especially given the extremely attractive McLaren offer. Red Bull continues to undergo internal changes, with Pierre Waché’s position also reportedly under increased scrutiny after the difficult start to the season.
There is speculation that Max Verstappen could follow Lambiase to McLaren, but realistically the more plausible options appear to be retirement or at least a sabbatical year for the Dutchman. The four-time F1 world champion is said to be searching for new motivation, increasingly distant from a Formula 1 environment that no longer feels satisfying. He does not feel able to make the difference with the current generation of cars.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s move is seen as a top-level coup, also aimed at dismissing rumours that Andrea Stella could be heading back to Ferrari. In Formula 1, dynamics change rapidly and nothing can be ruled out. However, the current feeling is that the engineer from Orvieto is more secure than ever in his papaya-coloured pit wall leadership role.
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