Gianpiero Lambiase’s Unexpected Move to McLaren
Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to join McLaren by 2028 in a surprising turn of events, although there seems to be some confusion regarding his exact position within the team.
Red Bull revealed last month that Lambiase would leave his post as head of race engineering and Verstappen’s engineer to take on a role at McLaren, specifically as chief racing officer, “no later than 2028.”
Current McLaren Structure and Roles
At the time of the announcement, McLaren clarified that the role of chief racing officer is already part of their organizational structure, with existing responsibilities managed by Andrea Stella, who also serves as team principal.
Red Bull’s Reaction
During the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, mentioned to Sky Sports F1 that he believes Lambiase will take on the role of team principal at McLaren. In response to inquiries about the departures of several key figures from Red Bull, Mekies remarked, “We don’t want to be defensive about it.”
Speculations Surrounding Andrea Stella
Mekies’ comments have sparked further speculation about Stella’s future at McLaren. If Lambiase indeed transitions to the team principal role, there may be implications for Stella’s position within the organization.
Misinformation and Assurance from McLaren
When Sky Sports F1 presented Mekies’ comments to McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, he dismissed claims of a change at the top, stating, “I have a team principal, and I couldn’t be happier with Andrea Stella.” Brown emphasized his confidence in Stella’s leadership.
Replacement for Lambiase and Future Plans
Red Bull is currently searching for a replacement for Lambiase, given his unique working relationship with Verstappen. “The chemistry we have works really well,” said the four-time world champion, highlighting the rarity of such a bond in racing.
Looking Ahead: Montreal Grand Prix
Formula 1 will next arrive in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1 from May 22-24. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
