Max Verstappen and Red Bull have experienced a disappointing start to the 2026 F1 campaign, and they have been rocked by more bad news involving rivals McLaren
Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer at Red Bull, has reportedly agreed to a stunning switch to McLaren from 2028. Lambiase, fondly referred to as ‘GP’ at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, will supposedly leave at the end of next season.
His deal with the energy drink giants doesn’t run out until next year, but once it does, it is widely believed the Frenchman will quit Red Bull to join the reigning World Constructors’ Champions – a decade after he originally signed up with Toro Rosso in 2016.
This represents a significant setback for Verstappen, who has had Lambiase in his ear over the radio ever since he was promoted 10 years ago.
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Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf believe Lambiase’s move to McLaren at the end of the 2027 season is tied to the anticipated exit of Andrea Stella, who has been strongly linked with a return to Ferrari. Lambiase had reportedly been offered the team principal position at Aston Martin during the off-season, but chose to decline.
He has previously stated he cannot picture himself as race engineer to any other driver beyond Verstappen. A team principal role, however, is an entirely different proposition.
The Dutch publication also believes Lambiase is set to pocket a substantial pay rise upon joining McLaren, with a ‘huge offer’ already having been accepted.
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The Frenchman will also enjoy several reunions of his own at McLaren. He will join forces with chief designer Rob Marshall and chief strategist Will Courtenay, both of whom departed Red Bull to sign up with McLaren in recent years.
The news also follows reports suggesting technical director Pierre Wache is facing mounting pressure.
A number of senior figures have headed for the exit at Red Bull over recent years. Christian Horner departed as team principal in the summer of 2025 after two decades in charge, while director of partnerships Julia George and group marketing director Simon Smith-Wright both left ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Prior to their exits, former group chief marketing and commercial officer Oliver Hughes and former group communications director Paul Smith had also moved on shortly after Horner.
On the paddock side, Guillaume Dezoteux, a key engineer at Red Bull for approximately 18 years, was swiftly snapped up by Ferrari. Then, of course, there is the question of Verstappen’s own future.
The Dutchman has appeared increasingly discontented as the new season has progressed. Following his disappointing result at the Japanese GP, he strongly hinted that he was weighing up his future in the sport altogether.
He has been vocal in his opposition to the new F1 regulations, repeatedly likening the new cars to “Mario Kart”, while also hinting at other ventures he wishes to explore.
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