Red Bull race engineer Lambiase to join McLaren in 2028

Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's race engineer at Red Bull since 2016, has agreed to join McLaren from 2028, sources confirmed Thursday.

Lambiase, 45, will take on a senior role supporting McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. The exact title and details of his position remain undetermined outside McLaren. His departure from Red Bull requires contract discussions between the two teams, though 2028 represents the latest date for his arrival at McLaren.

Lambiase has been a central figure throughout Verstappen's Formula One career, serving as the driver's race engineer through four consecutive world championship victories between 2021 and 2024. The pair have maintained a closely followed professional relationship, with their radio interactions during races becoming a notable aspect of their partnership.

Currently Red Bull's head of race engineering, Lambiase will become the third senior Red Bull figure to join McLaren in recent years. Rob Marshall joined as chief designer at the start of 2024, and Will Courtenay, former Red Bull head of race strategy, became McLaren's sporting director in January 2026.

The move is aimed at strengthening McLaren's race operations during a period when Formula One is becoming increasingly complex. McLaren is the reigning constructors' champion, having secured two constructors' titles and one drivers' title in the last two seasons under Stella's leadership.

Neither McLaren nor Red Bull issued public statements on the move. Senior insiders at both teams confirmed the information to multiple outlets on condition of anonymity to protect relationships.

Sources indicated that Lambiase could potentially make the switch sooner than 2028 if an agreement between the two teams is reached, though no accelerated timeline has been confirmed.