Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekane has publicly suggested that Gianpiero Lambiase, the long‑time race engineer for Max Verstappen, is slated to take over as McLaren’s team principal. The speculation follows Red Bull’s March announcement that Lambiase would depart his role as head of race engineering to join McLaren in a senior capacity, with the British outfit indicating that he would assume the title of chief racing officer no later than 2028. At the time of the announcement, McLaren clarified that the chief racing officer position already existed within its hierarchy and that its responsibilities were being handled by current team principal Andrea Stella alongside his existing duties.
The statement emphasized that Lambiase’s recruitment was intended to bolster the existing talent pool and reinforce McLaren’s long‑term ambition to remain a championship‑winning operation. During the Miami Grand Prix – the first race of the 2026 season after the news broke – Mekane addressed the matter with Sky Sports F1. He confirmed that Lambiase’s next role would indeed be a team‑principal position at McLaren.
When asked whether Lambiase’s departure signaled a continuing trend of key personnel leaving Red Bull, Mekane responded without defensiveness: "We have lost several important people over the past four or five years, and we take that very seriously. Our priority is to create the best possible environment to attract, develop and retain talent, and I am confident we will succeed in that area." Mekane added, "Is it going to be a linear path with no more departures? No.
Lambiase has an extraordinary opportunity, and he is moving to a team‑principal role. All I can do is wish him well." The comments initially raised questions about whether they had been misinterpreted, but Red Bull later confirmed to Sky Sports F1 that the Frenchman genuinely believes Lambiase will become McLaren’s team principal. McLaren CEO Zak Brown reacted to Mekane’s remarks with a hint of intrigue, saying, "He knows something I don’t, apparently." Brown went on to praise Andrea Stella, noting that the former driver‑turned‑principal has done a superb job since taking the helm in December 2022. Under Stella’s leadership, McLaren has achieved a remarkable resurgence, securing back‑to‑back constructors’ championships and delivering a drivers’ title for Lando Norris last season.
Brown explained his own role as chief executive: "My job is to acquire the best talent, think long term, and ensure we have strength on the pit wall, in the factory, and in design. Andrea has done a fantastic job, and GP (Lambiase) is a huge talent. When the opportunity arose to strengthen our racing team, we seized it – whether that means a driver, an engineer, a strategist, or any other key figure. I’m very happy he will be joining us." The exact timing of Lambiase’s move remains uncertain.
While McLaren indicated an interest in bringing him on board before 2028, the precise date has not been disclosed. Their official statement reiterated that the chief racing officer role already exists and is currently overseen by Andrea Stella, but Lambiase’s appointment is designed to add depth to the team’s technical leadership and underline McLaren’s commitment to sustained success. Beyond the personnel shuffle, the Miami weekend featured a packed schedule for Formula 1 fans.
The event included a Sprint race on Saturday, followed by qualifying sessions and the main Grand Prix on Sunday. Sky Sports F1 provided live coverage, with additional programming such as pre‑race build‑ups, sprint notebooks, and post‑race analysis.
Viewers were encouraged to stream the action via NOW, with the flexibility of a no‑contract subscription. In summary, the narrative surrounding Gianpiero Lambiase’s career trajectory underscores the fluid nature of talent movement in modern Formula 1. Red Bull’s acknowledgement of his impending promotion, coupled with McLaren’s strategic hiring, highlights both teams’ focus on securing top‑level expertise to maintain competitive advantage.
As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Lambiase’s transition and the impact his leadership may have on McLaren’s pursuit of further championship glory.