Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull Racing and join McLaren in 2028 as chief racing officer, the team confirmed this week, with the long-term deal set to reshape the pit wall dynamic across Formula 1 while he continues working alongside Max Verstappen until his contract expires.
McLaren moved with intent. “The role of the chief racing officer already exists within the team’s structure with overall leadership of the race team.” They framed the hire as evolution, not disruption. In truth, they have targeted one of the sharpest minds on the grid.
They added clarity straight away. “These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as team principal.” That line tells you everything. Andrea Stella has stretched himself thin, and McLaren want him thinking bigger, not firefighting on race day.
The timing matters. McLaren confirmed Lambiase will arrive “when his contract ends, no later than 2028”. That phrasing keeps Red Bull stable in the short term, but it locks in a long-term shift.
Red Bull did not resist the narrative. They confirmed he will “leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires”. No drama, no denial. Just acceptance of a slow-moving but significant loss.
They also made one point clear. “Until his planned departure, ‘GP’ continues in his role as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen.” That partnership remains intact for now. It still drives Red Bull’s edge on a Sunday.
McLaren’s strategy feels obvious. They keep raiding Red Bull’s brain trust. Rob Marshall arrived as chief designer, and Will Courtenay stepped in to run sporting operations. Lambiase now completes a powerful triangle around race execution.
The wider context bites Red Bull. They have already lost Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, while Christian Horner exited in 2025. The dominance once looked unshakeable; now it looks tested.
McLaren did not hide their ambition. “Lambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren, while also reaffirming the team’s long-term commitment to confirming its position as a championship-winning team.” They want titles, not just podiums. This move underlines it.
