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

In a surprising turn of events, Max Verstappen's engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be leaving Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028. This move has been confirmed by both Red Bull and McLaren, with Lambiase set to take on the role of chief racing officer at McLaren. Lambiase has been Verstappen's race engineer since 2016 and has played a crucial role in the driver's success. The news has raised questions about Verstappen's future in the sport, as he has previously stated that he would only continue to drive in F1 if Lambiase was his engineer. Red Bull has confirmed that Lambiase will continue in his dual role until his departure in 2028, while McLaren sees this move as a significant strengthening of their team. The move is also seen as a blow to Red Bull, who have lost several key figures in recent years, including legendary designer Adrian Newey and team principal Christian Horner. The relationship between Verstappen and Lambiase has been described as a key factor in the driver's success, with the two having a straightforward and honest communication style. Verstappen has consistently praised Lambiase, stating that he would only work with him and that their partnership is essential to his success in F1. The move to McLaren is seen as a significant coup for the team, who have been working to strengthen their talent pool and reaffirm their commitment to becoming a championship-winning team. With Lambiase's arrival, McLaren hopes to gain the experience and knowledge that he has acquired during his time at Red Bull, particularly in his role as Verstappen's race engineer. The news has sparked speculation about Verstappen's future, with some questioning whether he will remain in F1 beyond 2028. However, for now, the focus is on the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, which will be live on Sky Sports F1 on May 1-3.