Lambiase to McLaren by 2028 Sparks Verstappen Speculation

Speculation over Max Verstappen's future in Formula 1 has intensified following the announcement that his longtime race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will leave Red Bull to become McLaren's chief racing officer no later than 2028. The Dutch driver, a four-time world champion, has voiced frustration with the 2026 regulations and Red Bull's struggling RB22 car during a poor start to the season, fueling talk of a potential departure at the end of the year.

Red Bull has yet to achieve a top-five finish in the opening races, with Verstappen ninth in the drivers' standings on 12 points. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the car's drivability issues affect both Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar. "We know that our priority is to give him a car that he can push with," Mekies said. The team plans significant upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix, aimed at improving consistency and restoring driver confidence. Mekies expressed optimism, noting the factory atmosphere is "on fire" as engineers address shortcomings identified since the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lambiase's exit, after a decade at Red Bull and years as Verstappen's trusted voice on the radio, underscores broader staff...