Overview
- Both teams issued statements Thursday confirming Gianpiero Lambiase’s transfer, with Red Bull saying he will depart in 2028 and remain Max Verstappen’s race engineer and Head of Racing until then.
- McLaren said Lambiase will become Chief Racing Officer reporting to team principal Andrea Stella, a role that carries overall race‑team leadership now handled by Stella on top of his broader duties.
- The planned switch follows the end of Lambiase’s Red Bull contract at the close of 2027, with McLaren stating his arrival will be no later than 2028 and could be earlier if the teams reach an exit agreement.
- Lambiase has worked with Verstappen since 2016 and was central to four drivers’ titles, a breakup that intensifies scrutiny of Verstappen’s long‑term plans after recent public doubts about the sport’s new rules.
- The hire extends McLaren’s run of senior pickups from Red Bull, including designer Rob Marshall and strategist Will Courtenay, during a wider period of leadership turnover at Red Bull.