Verstappen, Red Bull, and McLaren: What's Next After Lambiase's Shock Move?

The recent news that Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's trusted race engineer, will join McLaren in 2028 has sent shockwaves through the F1 community. As the sport navigates a period without any April races, this unexpected development has raised several questions about the future of Verstappen, Red Bull, and McLaren. Lambiase has been Verstappen's race engineer since 2016 and currently serves as Red Bull's head of racing. His departure is likely to have significant implications for the team, particularly given Verstappen's previous comments about potentially leaving F1 if Lambiase were to depart. With Lambiase set to become McLaren's chief racing officer, Andrea Stella, the team's principal, will have more time to focus on other aspects of his leadership role. The news has also sparked speculation about Verstappen's future, with some believing that Lambiase's move could be a sign that the Dutch driver will soon follow suit. Verstappen has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the new 2026 regulations and has already begun exploring other motorsport ventures, including competing in GT3 racing. The four-time world champion will undoubtedly face questions about his future during the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. Meanwhile, McLaren has bolstered its already impressive organization by signing one of F1's top engineers, who will work alongside former Red Bull members Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay. The team's structure is becoming increasingly formidable, with Lambiase's arrival likely to provide significant support to Stella and the wider leadership. For Red Bull, Lambiase's impending departure represents another significant loss among the team's senior leadership, following the exits of several key figures over the past two years. The team will need to navigate this change and determine who will take on Lambiase's key duties in the long term. As F1 returns with the Miami Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Red Bull to see how they respond to this latest development.