Max Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is to leave Red Bull to join McLaren in a shock move that throws further doubt on the four-time world champion’s future in Formula One.
Lambiase has worked with Verstappen since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016 and has been at his side through the driver’s four titles, the pair forging a close bond. Their radio interactions during races have been closely followed in what has been an enormously successful professional and personal relationship, sharing great joy and some blunt exchanges.
Lambiase is set to join McLaren in 2028 when his contract expires but it is understood he could make the switch sooner if an agreement between the two teams is reached.
“Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires,” said Red Bull in a statement. “GP is a valued member of the team, which he joined in 2015.
“Until his planned departure, GP continues in his roles as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen. The team and he are fully committed to add more success to our strong track record together.”
The British-Italian engineer will take on a role supporting the McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, who has returned two constructors’ and one drivers’ title in the past two seasons in the demanding role of both team principal and effectively technical director. Lambiase is perfectly placed to take on some of his responsibilities over race weekends.
“McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren as chief racing officer, reporting into team principal, Andrea Stella,” said McLaren in a statement.
“The role of the chief racing officer already exists within the team’s structure with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as team principal.
McLaren added that “the team look forward to welcoming Gianpiero Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028”.
The move comes at a crucial time, with Verstappen having recently repeatedly expressed disenchantment with the current F1 regulations. The focus on energy management has proved unpopular with the Dutchman and many other drivers and at the last round, in Japan, Verstappen intimated he was considering whether he wanted to continue in F1.
He expressed he was “beyond frustration” with the way the racing was conducted under the new regulations. “When you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?” he said.
The Red Bull is currently uncompetitive and a handful to drive, with Verstappen ninth in the championship, having scored only 12 points from the first three meetings. His contract with the team runs until 2028 but performance-related escape clauses would allow him to exit before then.
Verstappen also lost a close ally at the end of last season when the long-serving Red Bull motor sport adviser Helmut Marko left the team and Lambiase is the latest in a slew of leading figures leaving Red Bull in recent years. Alongside the removal of Christian Horner as team principal last year, the designer Adrian Newey and the sporting director Jonathan Wheatley have also departed. The chief designer Rob Marshall and the sporting director Will Courtenay have both left the team to join McLaren.
It is understood that suggestions Lambiase is being prepared as a successor to Stella, who is a reported target for Ferrari, are inaccurate.
