Jos Verstappen Reacts to McLaren's Lambiase Signing as Hamilton Tests Ferrari

Jos Verstappen confirmed he supported Gianpiero Lambiase's move to McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton completed a private tire test for Ferrari at Fiorano. The FIA also held its first meeting to discuss potential tweaks to the 2026 technical regulations, acknowledging a need for refinements in energy management.

Why it matters:

Lambiase's departure from Red Bull, where he has been Max Verstappen's race engineer for all four of his world titles, marks a significant talent shift in the F1 paddock. His move to a senior role at a direct competitor like McLaren could have long-term strategic implications. Simultaneously, Hamilton's early work with Ferrari and ongoing regulatory talks highlight the continuous off-track development that shapes the sport's future.

The details:

• Verstappen Camp's Blessing: Jos Verstappen revealed he has known "for a while" about Lambiase's McLaren move and that Max's camp encouraged the engineer to "grab it with both hands." He downplayed the impact on his son, suggesting Max would "just carry on."
• Hamilton's Ferrari Running: Lewis Hamilton completed a Pirelli tire test at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit, driving the SF-26. This follows similar wet-weather tests by Red Bull and Racing Bulls in Japan, with Mercedes and McLaren set to test at the Nürburgring next week.
• Stroll Seeks Verstappen Advice: Aston Martin's Lance Stroll consulted Max Verstappen before committing to his GT3 racing debut this weekend in the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard, sharing an Aston Martin Vantage with Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya.
• FIA's 2026 Rule Dialogue: The FIA described the first meeting on 2026 rule refinements as "constructive dialogue on difficult topics." The governing body stated there was a shared commitment to "making tweaks" to energy management regulations, with more meetings scheduled before the Miami Grand Prix.

What's next:

The driver market and technical landscape continue to evolve away from the race track. Lambiase's integration at McLaren will be watched closely, while Hamilton's increasing familiarity with Ferrari is a key subplot to the season. The FIA's upcoming meetings will determine what, if any, adjustments are made to the 2026 rules package that all teams are currently developing towards.