Laurent Mekies, the team principal at Red Bull Racing, has hinted that Gianpiero Lambiase – the Dutch champion Max Verstappen’s current race engineer – is slated to become the next team principal at McLaren. The speculation follows an earlier announcement made in March, when Red Bull confirmed that Lambiase would depart his role as head of race engineering to join the British outfit.
McLaren initially described his new appointment as chief racing officer, a position that, according to the team, would be filled no later than 2028. At the time of the March statement, McLaren clarified that the chief racing officer title already existed within its hierarchy and that its duties were being performed by Andrea Stella alongside his responsibilities as team principal. This dual‑role arrangement suggested that the role was more of an internal designation rather than a separate, fully independent post. During the Miami Grand Prix – the first race of the 2026 season after the news broke – Mekies addressed the topic on Sky Sports F1.
He told the broadcaster that Lambiase was indeed on a path to become McLaren’s team principal, describing the move as a natural progression for the talented engineer. When asked whether Lambiase’s departure was part of a broader trend of key staff leaving Red Bull, Mekies responded without defensiveness, acknowledging that the team had lost several important figures over the past four or five years. "We take it very seriously and everything we do is to try to make sure that we have the best environment to attract, to develop and to retain our people," Mekes said. He added that he was confident Red Bull would eventually succeed in creating a more stable personnel environment.
"Is it going to be a linear way to it with nobody leaving anymore? No. GP (Lambiase) had an extraordinary opportunity. You know, he is going to be a team principal there.
It's not something that I can do anything else than wishing him well." Mekies’ comments initially raised questions about whether he had been misquoted or whether Red Bull was simply being vague. However, the team later confirmed to Sky Sports F1 that Mekies indeed believes Lambiase will take on the McLaren team principal role. McLaren chief executive Zak Brown reacted with a mixture of surprise and amusement when the remarks were brought to his attention.
"He knows something I don't, apparently," Brown said, before praising Andrea Stella’s performance as McLaren’s current team principal. Brown highlighted Stella’s achievements since his appointment in December 2022, noting that under his leadership the Woking‑based squad has secured consecutive constructors' championships and helped Lando Norris capture the drivers' title last season.
"My job as CEO is to get the best talent, to think long term, to have the most strength on pit wall or at the factory, in design, whatever the case may be," Brown explained. He emphasized that Lambiase represents a significant addition to the team’s technical pool, whether the opportunity arises for a driver, engineer, strategist, or any other critical role. The exact timing of Lambiase’s move remains uncertain. While McLaren has expressed a desire to bring him on board before 2028, the official statement about his hiring reiterated that the chief racing officer responsibilities are already part of the existing structure and are currently overseen by Stella.
The statement added that Lambiase’s recruitment is intended to "strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren Mastercard, while also reaffirming the team's long‑term commitment to confirming its position as a championship‑winning team." Beyond the personnel shuffle, the Miami weekend featured a packed schedule of Formula 1 and Formula 2 action. The F2 Sprint took place on Saturday afternoon, followed by a series of build‑up shows for the Miami Grand Prix Sprint and Qualifying sessions.
On Sunday, the F2 Feature Race preceded the main Grand Prix, with additional analysis programmes such as Ted’s Sprint Notebook and Qualifying Notebook providing in‑depth coverage. All of these events were broadcast on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via the NOW platform. The broader context of Lambiase’s potential promotion reflects a growing trend in Formula 1 where engineers and race strategists are increasingly being groomed for senior leadership positions.
The sport’s technical complexity demands leaders who possess a deep understanding of car performance, data analysis, and on‑track decision‑making. Lambiase’s experience working directly with Verstappen, one of the sport’s most demanding drivers, has equipped him with a unique perspective that could translate well to the broader managerial responsibilities of a team principal. If the move materialises, McLaren would join a short list of teams that have elevated engineers to the top seat, following examples such as James Vowles at Mercedes and Peter Bayer at Ferrari. Such appointments often signal a shift toward a more integrated technical and strategic approach, where the team principal is not only a figurehead but also an active participant in the day‑to‑day engineering decisions.
For Red Bull, losing Lambiase adds to a recent pattern of departures that includes former chief technical officer Adrian Newey’s eventual retirement and other senior staff moving on to rival outfits. Mekies’ comments suggest that the team is aware of the perception that talent is being poached, and he reiterated Red Bull’s commitment to creating an environment that can both retain existing staff and attract new talent.
In summary, while the exact date of Lambiase’s transition to McLaren remains to be confirmed, the consensus among both Red Bull and McLaren executives is that his expertise will soon be put to use at the helm of the British team. Whether this appointment will be officially titled "team principal" or remain under the existing "chief racing officer" banner, the move underscores the fluid nature of personnel in modern Formula 1 and the importance of technical expertise in leadership roles. The Miami Grand Prix weekend offered fans not only high‑speed racing but also a glimpse into the strategic reshuffling that could shape the competitive landscape for years to come.