Max Verstappen’s long-serving race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is to leave Red Bull and make a shock switch to McLaren.
Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is leaving Red Bull for a surprising switch to McLaren after much speculation about his future and potential roles with other teams.
Aston Martin and Williams were rumored to have shown interest in Lambiase, but it was McLaren that ultimately secured him for a senior management position.
The deal is set for Lambiase to join McLaren once his current contract with Red Bull concludes next year, with a focus on supporting team principal Andrea Stella.
This move highlights the evolving demands in F1 operations, with Lambiase expected to alleviate some of Stella’s in-weekend racing responsibilities.
The anticipated transition is scheduled for the beginning of 2028 or earlier, pending agreements between McLaren and Red Bull, posing a significant change for both teams and Verstappen.
Verstappen’s strong bond with Lambiase is undoubted, with the engineer being lauded for his passion and dedication, amid Verstappen’s reflections on a challenging yet fruitful year.
