Lambiase to Join McLaren from Red Bull in 2028

Gianpiero Lambiase, the longtime race engineer for Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, will leave the team at the end of his contract in 2028 to join McLaren as chief racing officer, the team confirmed Monday. The move ends a decade-long partnership that has been central to Verstappen's four Formula One world championships and raises fresh questions about the Dutch driver's future amid Red Bull's ongoing struggles.

Lambiase, a British-Italian engineer known in the paddock as GP, joined Red Bull in 2015 after a career that began with Jordan in 2005. He followed the team through its transitions to Midland, Spyker and Force India, where he helped secure the outfit's first pole position and podium at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix with Giancarlo Fisichella. At Red Bull, Lambiase initially worked with Daniil Kvyat before taking over Verstappen's engineering duties in 2016, coinciding with the driver's debut victory that year in Spain. He later expanded his role to head of racing in 2025, overseeing operations while continuing to guide Verstappen from the pit wall.

The duo's relationship has been marked by mutual trust and candid exchanges, often captured in their lively team radio...