P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The four-time world champion is losing his closest remaining ally at Red Bull as he leaves for McLaren
Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has addressed the shocking departure of his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase from Red Bull to McLaren. Verstappen and Lambiase have won all championships together, making the news particularly impactful. Verstappen openly supported Lambiase’s decision to accept McLaren’s offer due to their strong bond and the benefits it brings to his family. Lambiase sought and received Verstappen’s blessing before finalizing the move. Despite the shift, Lambiase will continue working with Verstappen until the end of 2027 before joining McLaren as Chief Racing Officer in 2028. Red Bull is yet to name a permanent replacement for Lambiase, with Simon Rennie being considered as the frontrunner.
