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Lambiase is leaving to join McLaren but he hasn’t left yet – here is what happens next
Gianpiero Lambiase is leaving Red Bull to join McLaren to continue his F1 career, but his official move is not happening yet. This raises the question of what will happen next for Max Verstappen’s key ally. Lambiase, the long-term engineer for the Dutch racer, is set to become McLaren’s Chief Racing Officer in 2028, after his Red Bull contract ends in 2027.
The situation creates an awkward scenario, as Lambiase will be in a limbo in F1 for the next 20 months. There have been no talks of gardening leave or early termination of his contract so far. Former F1 driver David Coulthard highlighted the challenges that come with transitioning between teams while honoring existing contracts.
Coulthard drew parallels from his own experience, suggesting that it can strain relationships and compromise confidentiality within the team. There’s speculation that Lambiase may leave Red Bull before his contract expires, based on hints from recent announcements. The uncertainty of how the transition will unfold adds a layer of complexity to this high-profile move in the world of Formula 1.
