Verstappen's engineer Lambiase set for McLaren move in 2028

Max Verstappen's long-time race engineer, Gianpiero 'GP' Lambiase, has agreed to join McLaren in a senior leadership role starting in 2028, raising immediate questions about the reigning champion's own future in Formula 1. The move is part of a significant talent drain from Red Bull and comes amid Verstappen's own repeated hints that he could walk away from the sport before his contract ends.

Why it matters:

The driver-race engineer relationship is one of the most critical and intimate partnerships in F1, built on deep trust and communication. Lambiase has been the voice in Verstappen's ear for all four of his world championships. His planned departure to a rival team—even years in advance—signals a major shift within the dominant Red Bull organization and fuels intense speculation that Verstappen's own commitment may be wavering, potentially destabilizing the team's long-term prospects.

The details:

• Lambiase has signed a long-term deal to become McLaren's Chief Racing Officer starting in 2028, reporting directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella. A move before then would require negotiation with Red Bull.
• He is the latest in a string of high-profile Red Bull personnel to secure a future elsewhere, following design chief Adrian Newey and others like Jonathan Wheatley and Rob Marshall.
• The news has ignited fan theories directly linking Lambiase's exit to Verstappen's potential retirement or team switch, citing the driver's past statements about their partnership.
• Verstappen's Own Words: In a 2021 interview, Verstappen told Dutch media, "I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too." While perhaps said in jest, the comment is now being viewed in a new light.
• Contract Context: Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull through the end of 2028, the same year Lambiase's McLaren deal begins. However, the Dutch driver has consistently stated he would reconsider his future if he did not enjoy F1's next set of technical regulations.

What's next:

All eyes are now on Verstappen for a reaction to his engineer's career move. While the 2028 timeline provides a long runway, the announcement itself adds another layer of uncertainty to Red Bull's internal stability.

• Verstappen's satisfaction with Red Bull's competitive direction and the 2026 regulations will be the ultimate decider for his future, more than any single personnel change.
• For McLaren, securing a figure of Lambiase's experience and success is a major coup, strengthening their technical leadership as they aim to become consistent title contenders.
• The situation will be a key subplot to watch, testing the strength of Red Bull's core team as they navigate this period of transition and intense external scrutiny.