Gianpiero Lambiase’s scheduled departure to McLaren in 2028 takes on another dimension in light of the latest revelations: the decision was reportedly finalized even before the start of the 2026 season.
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Contrary to what some might have thought, this choice is not directly linked to the future of Max Verstappen.
According to journalist Jon Noble, the two trajectories — that of Lambiase and that of the Dutch driver — are parallel, but not interdependent. In other words, Lambiase would not have decided to leave in reaction to a possible departure of Verstappen, but rather because of his own reading of the situation at Red Bull Racing.
Looking elsewhere
The key point is this perception of a better future elsewhere. After years at the top with Red Bull, Lambiase seems to consider that the current cycle is coming to an end, or at least that it offers fewer prospects than the McLaren project. Moreover, it is not insignificant that he no longer feels an obligation to stay to accompany Verstappen, which suggests that the internal stability that was Red Bull’s strength is eroding.
We remember the engineer’s distress at the finish of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last November, a depression accentuated by the verdict of the winter tests and which undoubtedly pushed him to confirm his transfer to Woking in two years. On the McLaren side, the role assigned to Lambiase has now been clarified: he will become Chief Racing Officer, and not team principal. He will work under the direction of Andrea Stella, who remains in place despite rumors sending him to Ferrari.
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With Stella and not in his place
This point is fundamental, as it confirms that McLaren is not just preparing a succession, but is actively strengthening its executive structure. In modern F1 where operational complexity is exploding, further separating responsibilities between strategy, technique, and track execution becomes a major competitive advantage.
CEO Zak Brown was not mistaken, openly displaying his enthusiasm on social media. Lambiase’s arrival is part of a clear strategy: to build a “super team” (dream team) capable of extending the recent momentum of success.
Implicitly, this move also sends a strong signal: McLaren is now attracting key figures from dominant teams, while Red Bull is starting to lose some of its pillars. In the medium term, this could contribute to a gradual shift in the balance of power at the top of Formula 1.
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