Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull for McLaren in a supporting role to team principal Andrea Stella, according to sources. The move was first reported by Reuters, BBC, and Sky Sports.
Lambiase, 45, has been with Verstappen since 2016 and played a key role in helping him win four world championships. He is expected to head race engineering at McLaren once his ‘gardening leave’ period ends, while Stella will continue as team principal.
Stella, who has a multi-year contract with McLaren, shows no intention of returning to Ferrari despite speculation about his future. The dynamic between Verstappen and Lambiase on the team radio is reminiscent of Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Peter Bonnington at Mercedes.
Verstappen values the partnership highly but has also expressed doubts about his own longevity in the sport due to new engine rules and energy management requirements. In 2021, he stated that he would not continue without Lambiase, emphasizing their close working relationship.