Jos Verstappen confirmed that Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure from Red Bull Racing had been anticipated for some time, thus validating the idea of a planned transition rather than a forced one.
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The Italian-British engineer, a pillar of Max Verstappen‘s success since 2016, will join McLaren in 2028 as Chief Racing Officer.
A major departure, but one that the Verstappen clan seems to have fully accepted, or even encouraged, which implies that Lambiase opened up about his professional future to his star driver.
Max in doubt?
“We had known for a while… We told him to grab this opportunity with both hands”, said Jos Verstappen. A reaction that confirms Lambiase’s decision did not cause a rift with his driver, and that the two parties will continue to collaborate for nearly two more seasons, until the end of 2027, although it is unknown if Verstappen will activate an exit clause in his contract before then depending on the performances achieved.
However, beyond the soothing rhetoric, this move is part of a broader dynamic, significantly more concerning for Red Bull. Lambiase is the latest in a series of departures within Verstappen’s inner circle, after Helmut Marko, as well as several key members of his operational team.
Read more Gianpiero Lambiase no longer feels tied to Max Verstappen’s fate for the future
This progressive dismantling of his trusted environment comes as Verstappen goes through a phase of doubt. Frustrated by the new regulations and less dominant on track, the four-time world champion is reportedly seriously considering his future in Formula 1.
End of reign
Jos Verstappen himself acknowledged that things have changed, while hinting that the final decision would rest entirely with his son. A way to maintain a cautious official line, without ruling out uncertainties.
In this context, the departure of Lambiase does not seem to be a direct trigger, but rather an aggravating factor in an already complex equation. It reinforces the idea that the Red Bull-Verstappen cycle could be nearing its end, or at least entering a phase of redefinition.
The question is therefore no longer just whether Verstappen will stay at Red Bull, but whether he will choose to stay in Formula 1… or take a step back.
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