Shocking Move: Verstappen's Engineer Lambiase to Join McLaren in 2028

In a surprise move, Max Verstappen's trusted engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will be leaving Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028. The news was confirmed by both teams, with Lambiase set to take on the role of chief racing officer at McLaren. The highly-regarded engineer has been instrumental in Verstappen's success, and his departure could have significant implications for the four-time world champion's future in the sport. Verstappen has previously stated that he would consider walking away from F1 if Lambiase were no longer his engineer. Lambiase's move to McLaren is seen as a major coup for the team, which has been strengthening its technical lineup in recent years. The Italian engineer turned down an offer from Aston Martin to become their team principal, opting instead for the McLaren role after holding talks with the team's bosses. The news has raised questions about Verstappen's future, with the Dutch driver having criticized F1's 2026 regulations and hinting that he may leave the sport at the end of the season. Lambiase's relationship with Verstappen is widely regarded as one of the most successful driver-engineer partnerships in F1 history, with the two men having worked together since Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016. The engineer's departure from Red Bull will be a significant loss for the team, which has already seen several key figures leave in recent years, including legendary designer Adrian Newey and team principal Christian Horner.