Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s long-serving race engineer, is set to join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer in 2028. The move was officially announced on April 9, 2026, confirming his departure from Red Bull Racing upon the expiry of his current contract.
Lambiase currently holds dual roles at Red Bull, serving as Head of Racing and continuing as Verstappen’s race engineer. His contract with the Milton Keynes-based team runs until the end of the 2027 season.
Verstappen has publicly supported Lambiase’s decision, stating in April 2026 that it would be ‘stupid’ to prevent his engineer from taking such a significant career opportunity. This stance aligns with their close professional relationship developed since 2016.
Red Bull Racing confirmed Lambiase’s planned exit in 2028, emphasizing his continued commitment to the team until his departure. Team Principal Laurent Mekies reiterated in April 2026 that Lambiase would see out his contract for the next two years.
The team has already initiated succession plans for Lambiase’s roles. Tom Hart has been appointed as Verstappen’s future race engineer, with a gradual transition into the position expected during the current season.
Additionally, Tom McCullough is reportedly joining Red Bull to assume the Head of Racing role, effectively replacing Lambiase in that capacity. This ensures continuity in the team’s operational structure.
At McLaren, Lambiase will report directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella, taking on responsibilities that currently fall under Stella’s purview. This appointment is part of McLaren’s ongoing technical restructuring.
McLaren has made several key personnel acquisitions from Red Bull in recent years, including Rob Marshall, who joined as Chief Technical Officer & Chief Designer in January 2024. Will Courtenay also moved to McLaren as Sporting Director at the start of 2026.
Formula 1 analyst Peter Windsor recently commented on Verstappen’s influence within Red Bull, suggesting the driver should leverage his renewed power to retain Lambiase. These remarks were made on August 25, 2026, following Verstappen’s contract extension.
Verstappen himself recently committed his long-term future to Red Bull Racing, signing a contract extension through to the 2030 season. This agreement was announced in August 2026.
