Gianpiero Lambiase Confirmed to Leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028

In a surprise move, Max Verstappen's engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will be joining McLaren in 2028, leaving his current role at Red Bull. The news was confirmed by both Red Bull and McLaren in separate statements, with Lambiase set to take on the role of chief racing officer at McLaren. Lambiase will continue in his dual role as Verstappen's race engineer and head of racing at Red Bull until his planned departure in 2028. This development has sparked questions about Verstappen's future in the sport, given their close working relationship. Verstappen has previously stated that he would consider leaving Formula 1 if Lambiase were not his race engineer. The move is seen as a significant gain for McLaren, who will benefit from Lambiase's experience and knowledge. Lambiase's decision to join McLaren comes after he turned down an offer from Aston Martin to become their team principal. The news has also led to speculation about Verstappen's future at Red Bull, with the Dutch driver having a contract until 2028 but having expressed concerns over the sport's 2026 regulations.