Zak Brown Hints Gianpiero Lambiase Could Join McLaren by 2027

Zak Brown has hinted that Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s longtime race engineer, could join McLaren as early as 2027. This move would significantly accelerate the timeline for the Red Bull mainstay to take over as the team's Chief Racing Officer.

Why it matters:

Bringing in Lambiase is about more than just adding a high-profile name; it is an injection of Red Bull's operational precision into McLaren's ecosystem. His arrival will allow Team Principal Andrea Stella to shift his focus from day-to-day race operations toward overall leadership, streamlining the team's command structure as they fight to remain at the front of the grid.

The details:

• Accelerated Timeline: While the move was originally slated for 2028, Brown expressed optimism that Lambiase could be in "papaya" by next year.
• Strategic Pedigree: Lambiase brings over a decade of experience working with a four-time world champion, specializing in high-pressure strategic calls and tyre management.
• Expanded Role: As Chief Racing Officer, Lambiase will oversee the broader racing operation, leveraging his experience in Red Bull's decision-making processes.

The big picture:

McLaren enters this transition as the reigning Constructors' champions, though the 2026 campaign has proven far more challenging than the previous season. While Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have struggled at the sharp end early on, the team has gradually recovered its performance. Integrating a veteran operator like Lambiase by 2027 provides McLaren with a critical technical and sporting asset to sustain their championship-winning momentum.

What's next:

With Brown reporting strong momentum at the factory and improved performance from the drivers, the focus now shifts to the 2027 setup. If the timeline holds, Lambiase's early arrival could give McLaren a decisive edge in race-day execution for the upcoming season.