Verstappen Comments on Newey's Promotion as Lambiase to Aston Martin Rumors Intensify

Max Verstappen has offered his thoughts on Adrian Newey's surprise promotion to Aston Martin team principal, a move that coincides with growing speculation his own race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, could be the next high-profile figure to make the switch from Red Bull. The comments come as Aston Martin continues to build an formidable technical team ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.

Why it matters:

Newey's move and the potential departure of Lambiase, a key member of Verstappen's championship-winning team, signal a significant talent drain from Red Bull to Aston Martin. This consolidation of top-tier talent at the Silverstone-based squad positions them as a serious threat for the new era, potentially disrupting the established order. For Verstappen, it raises questions about the long-term stability of his own team environment, despite his contract running until 2028.

The details:

• Newey's New Role: Adrian Newey will become Aston Martin team principal for the 2026 season, with Andy Cowell shifting to chief strategy officer to manage the team's new partnership with Honda and Aramco. Newey has insisted car development will remain his main focus.
• Verstappen's Reaction: The four-time champion called the move a "logical" trend of engineers taking top jobs, stating he's "happy for him" and "sure he will do well," but noted "time will tell" on Newey's suitability for the leadership role.
• Lambiase Speculation: Reports suggest Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen's race engineer since 2016, is in talks for a senior role at Aston Martin, potentially at "team principal or CEO level." A move would see him return to the team where he began his F1 career in 2005.
• The 'Red Bull Raid': Aston Martin has already recruited several former Red Bull personnel since Newey's arrival, including strategist Nick Roberts and simulations expert Giles Wood, bolstering their technical department for 2026.

What's next:

All eyes will be on whether Lambiase, a crucial part of Verstappen's success, indeed departs. Should Lambiase leave, Daniel Ricciardo's former race engineer, Simon Rennie, who has deputized for GP in the past, is a potential candidate to step into the role. The ongoing personnel moves highlight the intense off-track battle shaping up for 2026, with Aston Martin aggressively building a team capable of challenging Red Bull's dominance.