In response to speculation arising after comments made at Red Bull, Andrea Stella wanted to clarify the future role of Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren, expected in 2028 as Chief Racing Officer.
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Andrea Stella wanted to calm speculation around the future arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren, while some already imagine the current race engineer of Max Verstappen as a potential successor to the team principal position.
Last month, McLaren officially announced the arrival of Lambiase, well known for his sometimes explosive duo with Max Verstappen, starting in 2028 as Chief Racing Officer, a role that will place him directly under Stella’s responsibility within the Woking structure.
Stella clarifies Lambiase’s future role at McLaren
Speculation grew during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, when Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies hinted that this recruitment could eventually prepare a governance change at McLaren.
Andrea Stella firmly rejected this interpretation, explaining that the recruitment’s goal is primarily to strengthen the team’s management and consolidate its structure in the long term.
“What I said before is that at McLaren, it is important for us to employ the best talents in Formula 1”, the Italian explained.
“Zak [Brown] and I want to build the strongest team, not only in the present but also for the future. We have good references on what strong teams of the past represent.”
An arrival to strengthen McLaren’s management
Stella also placed this decision within a broader organizational logic, relying on his past experience at Ferrari in the early 2000s.
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“I was part of the Ferrari team in the early 2000s and I know the level of experience, expertise, and leadership needed to succeed today as well as tomorrow.”
“GP’s recruitment fits into this vision, a vision that consists of creating additional leadership capable of integrating with the current management and making McLaren ever stronger.”
The McLaren boss also acknowledged that Lambiase’s arrival should allow him to better distribute certain operational responsibilities related to the team’s daily management.
“I very much wanted GP to join McLaren. I am personally very busy in my role as team principal and I need a strong group of leaders working with me.”
Stella finally insisted that the plan was clearly defined and dismissed speculation about a possible succession.
“The plan is very clear. Any other speculation brings us back to the rumor mill.”
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