In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Gianpiero Lambiase, the long-time race engineer for four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, will depart the team in 2028. Lambiase, widely known as “GP” within the sport, has reached an agreement to join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, where he will assume the high-ranking position of Chief Racing Officer.
The announcement marks the end of one of the most successful and recognizable partnerships in recent F1 history. Lambiase and Verstappen have worked closely since 2016, when the Dutchman was promoted to the senior Red Bull squad from the Toro Rosso outfit. Together, they have navigated the immense pressures of championship battles, characterized by a distinct and often blunt communication style that has become a fan favorite during race broadcasts.
While the move is confirmed, the transition will not happen immediately. Both Red Bull and McLaren have clarified that Lambiase will remain in his current roles—both as Verstappen’s race engineer and as Red Bull’s Head of Racing—until his existing contract expires in 2028. Until that time, the team remains fully committed to pursuing further success with the engineer still at the helm of Verstappen’s race strategy.
A Strategic Upgrade for McLaren’s Leadership
Upon his arrival at Woking, Gianpiero Lambiase will step into the role of Chief Racing Officer, reporting directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella. According to an official statement from McLaren, the Chief Racing Officer position already exists within the team’s organizational structure and carries the responsibility of overall leadership for the race team. Currently, these duties are managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his primary responsibilities as Team Principal.
By bringing in a specialist of Lambiase’s caliber to manage the race team’s leadership, Stella will be able to devote more time to other critical aspects of his leadership role. This acquisition is part of a broader strategic effort by McLaren to strengthen its talent pool and solidify its position as a championship-winning team. Lambiase is the latest in a series of high-profile hires for the squad, following the previous acquisitions of Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay.
The move is seen as a significant coup for McLaren, particularly as reports indicate that Lambiase turned down an offer from Aston Martin before deciding on the move to the Woking-based team, as reported by Sky Sports.
The Career Trajectory of Gianpiero Lambiase
Lambiase’s journey to the top of the F1 engineering world began nearly two decades ago. He entered the sport in 2005, serving as a data engineer for the Jordan team. He later transitioned into a race engineer role during the team’s era as Force India before making the move to Red Bull in 2015.
Initially, Lambiase served as the race engineer for Daniil Kvyat. However, it was the 2016 appointment to Max Verstappen’s side that defined his career. Over the subsequent years, Lambiase’s role expanded. while maintaining his direct relationship with Verstappen on the pit wall, he also ascended to the position of Head of Racing at Red Bull. This dual responsibility underscores his influence not just on a single driver’s performance, but on the overall operational efficiency of the Red Bull race squad.
Key Takeaways of the Transfer
- Departure Date: Lambiase will depart Red Bull in 2028 upon the expiration of his current contract.
- Latest Role: He will join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer, taking over race team leadership duties currently handled by Andrea Stella.
- Historical Context: Lambiase has been Verstappen’s race engineer since 2016 and Red Bull’s Head of Racing.
- Competitive Interest: Lambiase reportedly turned down an offer from Aston Martin to join McLaren.
- Reporting Line: At McLaren, Lambiase will report directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella.
What This Means for the F1 Paddock
The departure of a key technical figure like Lambiase is rarely just about one person; it often signals shifts in team dynamics and long-term planning. For Red Bull, the challenge will be finding a successor who can maintain the unique rapport and technical synergy that Lambiase established with Max Verstappen. For McLaren, the move represents a commitment to long-term stability and professionalization of their race operations under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella.
The timing of the announcement—coming years before the actual move—is unusual for Formula 1, where “secret” negotiations often dominate the news cycle. However, the transparency of this agreement allows both teams to plan their technical structures well in advance of the 2028 season.
As the sport continues to evolve, the movement of “top talent” like Lambiase, Marshall, and Courtenay highlights a trend where teams are not just fighting for the best drivers, but for the architects and strategists who build the environment for those drivers to win.
The next confirmed milestone in this timeline will be the conclusion of Lambiase’s contract with Red Bull in 2028, at which point he will officially transition to his role at McLaren.
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