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

In a surprise move, Max Verstappen's engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be leaving Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028. 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. This development has significant implications for Verstappen's future in the sport, given his previous statements that he would only continue racing if Lambiase was his engineer. The highly-regarded engineer has been instrumental in Verstappen's success, and his departure from Red Bull is seen as a major loss for the team. Lambiase's move to McLaren is part of the team's efforts to strengthen its talent pool and reaffirm its commitment to becoming a championship-winning team. The Italian engineer turned down an offer from Aston Martin to join McLaren, citing the team's attractive vision and culture. The move is expected to have a significant impact on the F1 landscape, with many questioning Verstappen's future in the sport. Verstappen has been critical of F1's 2026 regulations and has hinted at walking away from the sport. Lambiase's relationship with Verstappen has been described as a key factor in the driver's success, with the two sharing a straightforward and communicative approach. The engineer's departure from Red Bull will undoubtedly be felt, and his arrival at McLaren is seen as a major coup for the team.