Max Verstappen’s reliable Red Bull engineer set to take on role as Chief Racing Officer at McLaren

Gianpiero Lambiase, who has been Max Verstappen’s race engineer for an extended period, will transition to McLaren upon the conclusion of his contract with Red Bull, taking on the position of chief racing officer.

The reigning constructors’ champions announced the change, stating it would occur “no later than 2028,” on Thursday.

Lambiase has been associated with the four-time world champion since his debut for Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, where he notably secured victory, making him the youngest race winner in the history of the sport at the age of 18.

This development will intensify the speculation surrounding Verstappen’s immediate future in Formula 1, as the four-time world champion has strongly suggested he may consider leaving F1 at the end of 2026.

There has been prior speculation regarding Lambiase’s position; sources informed ESPN that he turned down an offer from Aston Martin late last year, but he has now been attracted to McLaren.

According to sources, Lambiase will join McLaren at the end of his current Red Bull contract in 2027 and will assume responsibilities currently held by team principal Andrea Stella.

“McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that Gianpiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Formula 1 Team as chief racing officer, reporting to team principal Andrea Stella,” McLaren stated in a release.

“The Chief Racing Officer role is already part of the team’s framework, overseeing the race team. These responsibilities are presently managed by Andrea Stella alongside his duties as Team Principal.

“Lambiase’s appointment is part of a strategy to enhance and support the talent pool at McLaren, while also reaffirming the team’s long-term commitment to establishing itself as a Championship-winning organization.”

As is often the case with F1 contracts, negotiations may occur between the teams to facilitate an earlier start date, potentially allowing him to begin sooner.

This significant news emerges amid increasing speculation regarding Verstappen’s future beyond this season.

The four-time world champion has expressed growing dissatisfaction with F1’s contentious new cars, which he has described as “anti-racing,” comparing them to Formula E “on steroids” and Mario Kart.

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen conveyed to the BBC that he was seriously contemplating stepping away at the end of the year, and numerous sources within the paddock close to him have indicated to ESPN that this possibility seems more likely than not at present.

His current negative sentiment has been exacerbated by Red Bull’s lackluster start as a fully-fledged engine manufacturer—the team is embarking on its own engine project for the first time in 2026 but has found itself significantly off the pace of the usual ‘Big Four’ competitors, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.

Verstappen’s contract extends until 2028, but sources have indicated to ESPN that there are clauses in his agreement that could allow him to exit before that time.

The Dutch driver is set to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours later this year and has often expressed his interest in racing in other series beyond F1.

In addition to fueling speculation about Verstappen, Lambiase’s departure will mark another significant setback for the Red Bull team, which has dominated the early part of the current decade.

Most of the key personnel responsible for that championship success—four drivers’ and three constructors’ titles—have departed.

Team principal Christian Horner was dismissed last July, a year after design icon Adrian Newey and long-serving sporting director Jonathan Wheatley left for Aston Martin and Audi, respectively.

Helmut Marko, the long-time racing advisor known as the godfather of the team’s driver academy, also exited the team at the end of 2025.

Lambiase’s new team, McLaren, has recruited several other significant figures over the past year.

Former Red Bull designer Rob Marshall has been instrumental in McLaren’s recent achievements, with his cars clinching back-to-back constructors’ championships in 2024 and 2025—the latter also saw Lando Norris secure McLaren’s first drivers’ title since 2008.

Red Bull’s former head of strategy, Will Courtenay, began working for McLaren this year as sporting director after a prolonged standoff between the two teams regarding contracts.

Source: espn.com