Laurent Mekies, the team principal at Red Bull Racing, has hinted that Gianpiero Lambiase – the Dutch‑Dutchman’s current race engineer – is slated to step into the top job at McLaren. The speculation follows Red Bull’s March announcement that Lambiase would leave his position as head of race engineering, a role he has held while guiding Max Verstappen’s performance on the track, to join McLaren as its chief racing officer sometime before 2028. At the time of the original statement, McLaren clarified that the chief racing officer title already existed within its hierarchy, with Andrea Stella juggling those responsibilities alongside his duties as team principal.
The British outfit said the move would bolster its technical leadership team and reinforce its long‑term ambition to remain a championship‑winning operation. When the Miami Grand Prix – the first race of the 2026 season after the news broke – arrived, Mekies addressed the matter in an interview with Sky Sports F1. He said plainly that Lambiase was "going to be a team principal" at McLaren, confirming the earlier hint that the engineer’s next step would be the most senior role on the team. Mekies was asked whether Lambiase’s departure signaled another in a string of recent senior exits from Red Bull.
He responded without hesitation: "We don’t want to be defensive about it. It’s true we have lost a number of key people over the past four or five years. We take that very seriously and we are working hard to create the best possible environment to attract, develop and retain talent. I’m confident we will succeed in that area." He added a personal note, acknowledging the magnitude of the opportunity for Lambiase: "Is it going to be a linear way with nobody leaving anymore?
No. Gianpiero has an extraordinary opportunity. He is going to be a team principal there.
I can only wish him the best." Following Mekies’ comments, Red Bull reiterated to Sky Sports F1 that the Frenchman believes Lambiase will indeed become McLaren’s team principal. The confirmation came amid some initial uncertainty about whether Mekies’ remarks had been misinterpreted. McLaren’s chief executive, Zak Brown, reacted with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. When presented with Mekies’ statements, Brown quipped, "He knows something I don’t, apparently." He then praised his current leadership team, noting that Andrea Stella, who has been McLaren’s team principal since December 2022, is "the best one in the pit lane" and that he could not be happier with Stella’s performance.
Stella’s tenure has coincided with a remarkable resurgence for the Woking‑based squad. Under his stewardship, McLaren secured back‑to‑back Constructors’ Championships and saw Lando Norris claim the Drivers’ title last year, marking a dramatic turnaround from the team’s struggles earlier in the decade. Brown continued, emphasizing his role as CEO: "My job is to attract the best talent, think long‑term, and ensure we have strength across the pit wall, the factory, design, and every other area.
Andrea has done a fantastic job, and Gianpiero is a huge talent. When an opportunity arises to strengthen our racing team – whether it’s a driver, an engineer, a strategist or any other role – we seize it. So I’m delighted he will be joining us." The exact timing of Lambiase’s transition remains slightly vague. McLaren has expressed a desire to bring him on board before the 2028 deadline, indicating flexibility in the schedule.
Their official statement reiterated that the chief racing officer role already exists and is currently overseen by Stella, but Lambiase’s appointment is intended to "strengthen and support the talent pool" at McLaren Mastercard and reaffirm the team’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of Formula 1 competition. Beyond the personnel shuffle, the Miami weekend itself featured a packed schedule for fans. The F2 Sprint race was slated for 4 pm on Saturday, followed by a series of build‑up shows, the sprint itself, and qualifying sessions. Sunday’s program included the F2 Feature Race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the main race at 9 pm, and post‑race analysis.
All events were set to be broadcast on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers without a traditional contract. The broader context of these moves highlights the increasingly fluid nature of talent in Formula 1. Teams are constantly reshuffling engineers, strategists, and even principals in pursuit of the smallest performance edge.
Red Bull, despite its dominance in recent years, has seen several senior figures depart, prompting Mekies to stress the importance of culture and retention. McLaren, on the other hand, appears eager to capitalize on the expertise of individuals like Lambiase to sustain its upward trajectory. In summary, Laurent Mekies’ comments have sparked renewed speculation about Gianpiero Lambiase’s future, with strong indications that the engineer will soon assume the role of McLaren team principal.
Both Red Bull and McLaren have issued statements that support this narrative, while Zak Brown’s light‑hearted response underscores the competitive yet collaborative spirit that defines modern Formula 1. As the Miami Grand Prix unfolds, fans will be watching not only the on‑track action but also the off‑track developments that could shape the championship landscape for years to come.