Red Bull’s Gianpiero Lambiase signs with McLaren for 2028 to optimize leadership By Carolina Costa
5 min read
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Gianpiero Lambiase, known for his crucial role as race engineer for Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, has agreed to join the McLaren team from 2028. The move represents a significant reinforcement for the operations of the British team, as it seeks to further improve its management and engineering structure in an increasingly Fórmula 1 scenario. challenging. The news was confirmed by internal sources from both teams, on condition of anonymity, to the specialized press, although neither McLaren nor Red Bull have officially commented.
The arrival of the renowned British professional aims to strengthen McLaren’s track operations by taking on a direct support role to team principal Andrea Stella. The exact details of Lambiase’s new role and official title have not yet been publicly disclosed, but the intention is clear: to optimize internal dynamics and allow Stella to focus on his broad leadership responsibilities.
Hiring Estratégica and Detalhes from Transferência
Gianpiero Lambiase’s transfer to McLaren, expected to take effect in 2028, is seen as a crucial strategic move for the Woking team. Lambiase, who currently holds the position of head of race engineering at Red Bull, will play a key role in the operations support structure, working alongside the sporting director Will Courtenay and the racing director Randy Singh. With this hire, the team seeks greater fluidity and efficiency in the decisions made during race weekends.
The increasing complexity of Fórmula 1, with constantly evolving technical and sporting regulations, demands robust and specialized team structures. The addition of Lambiase, with his vast experience and technical knowledge, is a direct response to this demand. Sua ability to manage the car’s performance and relationships with top drivers, such as Max Verstappen, makes him a valuable asset to McLaren’s ambition to remain at the top of the category.
Impact on Red Bull and Êxodo of Talentos
The imminent departure of Lambiase from Red Bull, even almost two seasons in advance, highlights the profound transformation that Milton Keynes’s team has undergone in recent years. Ele will be the third senior executive from Red Bull to move to McLaren, following in the footsteps of Rob Marshall, who arrived as chief designer in early 2024, and Will Courtenay, who became McLaren sporting director in January of the same year.
These losses come in a period of great turbulence for Red Bull, which has also seen the departure of acclaimed technical director Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley since the beginning of 2024. The departures of Newey and Wheatley even preceded the dismissal of the former team manager Christian Horner, in July 2025. Esse exodus of pillars of the team’s success, both in the Vettel and Verstappen eras, poses a significant challenge to the new team leader, Adrian Newey0.
The start of the 2026 season, under the new rules of Fórmula 1, highlighted the difficulties of Red Bull, with the new chassis and the first internally developed engine falling short of the best. Max Verstappen, in an unusual position of ninth place in the championship after the first three races of 2026, even expressed doubts about his future in the category. The series of absences in the technical and management staff reflects necessary reconstruction work for the Austrian team.
Strengthening of Liderança at McLaren
At McLaren, the arrival of Lambiase is part of a larger strategy to ease the burden on Andrea Stella, who combines the roles of team leader and, in practice, technical director. The intention is that the new position will allow Stella greater freedom to dedicate himself to aspects of leadership and strategic vision, where his skills are considered most crucial for the development of the team.
McLaren’s engineering structure already has three technical directors – Peter Prodromou (aerodynamics), Mark Temple (performance) and Neil Houldey (engineering) – as well as Rob Marshall (chief designer), all reporting to Stella when it comes to the car’s design. Lambiase will fit perfectly into this hierarchy, working in the operational management of races and track activities, complementing the work of Courtenay and Singh.
A Proximidade with Verstappen and Seu Futuro
Gianpiero Lambiase is widely recognized for his close and successful relationship with four-time world champion Max Verstappen, with whom he has worked since the Dutch rider joined Red Bull from Espanha in 2016. The partnership has yielded numerous victories and titles, solidifying effective communication and a enviable mutual trust in the paddock. Essa proximity, however, is not seen as the determining factor for Verstappen’s future in F1.
Verstappen himself stated, after the race in Japão, that he was considering staying in the category due to his dissatisfaction with the characteristics of the latest cars. The central issue for him will be the competitiveness of Red Bull, not the departure of its race engineer. Caso If there is no drastic improvement in the team’s performance, the driver will be contractually free to pursue other options at the end of the current season, based on performance clauses in his contract. Sua Final decision will involve considering staying with the team, migrating to another F1 team or even exploring other forms of motorsport.
View of Crescimento and Desafios from F1
Lambiase’s move to McLaren not only reflects the team’s remarkable progress in recent years, but also its determination not to settle for its achievements. Sob the leadership of Andrea Stella and the executive director Zak Brown, McLaren has undergone a significant turnaround, consolidating itself as a competitive force in Fórmula 1 and aspiring to more titles in the near future.
The team is aware of its vulnerabilities and is actively working to resolve them, such as the intense workload that falls on Andrea Stella. Discussions about F1 rules, including potential adjustments to the fuel flow rate for 2027 and beyond, will also influence the strategic decisions of drivers and teams, setting up a dynamic scenario for the category’s coming years. McLaren, with its culture of openness and mutual support, seeks an environment where direct and dynamic personalities like Lambiase can thrive.
Rumors and Realidade of McLaren’s Planos
Despite unfounded reports and constant rumors about a possible departure from Andrea Stella to Ferrari — speculation that frequently arises due to his Italian nationality and stint as Maranello at the beginning of his career — internal McLaren sources categorically refute this possibility. The hiring of Gianpiero Lambiase is actually a key piece in strengthening the team and relieving Stella of certain race operational responsibilities.
Lambiase’s relocation will allow Stella to devote more time to McLaren’s strategic leadership and long-term vision, areas where his skills are considered most valuable and impactful. McLaren has cultivated an enviable team culture, where transparency, support and development of its members are prioritized. Nesse context, the integration of an experienced figure with a Lambiase reputation perfectly complements the team’s objectives, ensuring the continuity of its rise in Fórmula 1 without interruptions in its main leadership.