Gianpiero Lambiase is to leave Oracle Red Bull Racing and join McLaren Mastercard F1 Team, bringing an end to one of Formula 1’s most celebrated driver-engineer partnerships.
It will also be another significant departure from Red Bull’s senior structure as Lambiase, who serves as both Head of Racing and race engineer to Max Verstappen, will depart Milton Keynes when his contract expires at the end of 2027.
Reports claim McLaren fought off interest from Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team and Atlassian Williams F1 Team to secure his signature.
Sector understands he has agreed a multi-million-pound deal with McLaren, where he will become Chief Racing Officer, triggering a staffing reshuffle for the reigning Constructors’ champions.
“McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal, Andrea Stella,” a McLaren statement read after Red Bull had confirmed Lambiase’s exit.
“The role of the Chief Racing Officer already exists within the team’s structure with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as Team Principal.
“Lambiase is the latest hire designed 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.
“The team’s ability to attract and secure top talent, like Lambiase, and previously Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, alongside the retention and promotion of highly-talented people already within the team, is a testament to the strategic vision and culture that are integrally embodied in the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, who are also both on long-term contracts.
“The team look forward to welcoming GianPiero Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028. “
For Red Bull, the departure adds to a significant loss of institutional knowledge at senior level in recent years. Acclaimed designer Adrian Newey departed to become Managing Technical Partner at Aston Martin, Jonathan Wheatley left as Sporting Director to become Team Principal at Audi Revolut F1 Team.
Meanwhile, Christian Horner was dismissed as Team Principal in 2024 after two decades at the helm. Helmut Marko’s influence has also been significantly reduced.
The cumulative effect of those exits – spread across design, strategy, management and now race engineering – represents a structural shift at a team that dominated the sport for four consecutive seasons.
Lambiase, 45, began his F1 career with Jordan Grand Prix in 2005, remaining with the team through its transitions to Midland, Spyker and Force India.
He joined Red Bull in 2015, initially working alongside Daniil Kvyat before taking on the race engineer role for Verstappen following the Dutchman’s arrival at the senior team in 2016.
Together, the pair won four World Drivers’ Championship titles and more than 70 grands prix, forming one of the most effective partnerships in the sport’s recent history.
In October 2024, following Wheatley’s departure, Lambiase was promoted to Head of Racing, taking on responsibility for race, heritage and car build departments alongside his existing trackside duties.
Lambiase will remain in his current dual role at Red Bull for the remainder of his contract, with the 2028 season marking the start of his new chapter at McLaren. Neither Red Bull nor McLaren have commented officially on the move.
