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McLaren appoints Gianpiero Lambiase as chief racing officer
McLaren has confirmed the signing of Red Bull's lead race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who will join the team as chief racing officer no later than 2028. The Briton, renowned for his role as Max Verstappen's race engineer, will oversee McLaren's race operations, reporting directly to team principal Andrea Stella.
Role and responsibilities
The chief racing officer position already exists within McLaren's structure, currently managed by Stella alongside his duties as team principal. Lambiase's appointment aims to alleviate Stella's workload, allowing him to focus more on leadership and technical direction.
Lambiase will integrate into a race-operations framework that includes sporting director Will Courtenay and racing director Randy Singh, further strengthening McLaren's trackside capabilities.
Red Bull's recent departures
Lambiase's move marks the latest in a series of high-profile exits from Red Bull since early 2024. Chief technical officer Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and chief designer Rob Marshall have all left the team, alongside former team principal Christian Horner, who was dismissed in July 2025.
Red Bull confirmed Lambiase's departure in a statement, noting he will remain in his current role as head of race engineering and Verstappen's race engineer until his contract expires in 2028.
Impact on Verstappen's future
Verstappen, a four-time world champion, recently expressed dissatisfaction with the current Formula 1 cars and hinted at reconsidering his future in the sport. His close working relationship with Lambiase adds another layer of uncertainty, though Red Bull's recent performance struggles-Verstappen sits ninth in the 2026 championship-are likely the primary concern.
Under his contract, Verstappen could leave Red Bull at the end of the season if performance clauses are not met. Potential destinations include McLaren, though the team is committed to its current driver lineup of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
McLaren's strategic hiring
Lambiase's recruitment is part of McLaren's broader strategy to bolster its race operations amid increasing complexity in Formula 1. The team has already hired former Red Bull figures Rob Marshall as chief designer and Will Courtenay as sporting director in 2024.
"Lambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool at McLaren, while reaffirming the team's long-term commitment to returning to championship-winning form,"
McLaren statement
McLaren insiders have dismissed rumors linking Stella to Ferrari, emphasizing his focus on leadership and the team's ongoing restructuring.
Red Bull's challenges
Red Bull's struggles in 2026, including a lagging chassis and in-house engine, have left Verstappen in an unfamiliar position outside the top five. New team principal Laurent Mekies faces significant rebuilding efforts, with discussions underway about potential rule changes to improve competitiveness.
Proposed adjustments for 2027 could include increasing the fuel-flow rate to favor internal combustion power, reducing the emphasis on energy management.
