Gianpiero Lambius: What’s going on with Max Verstappen’s race engineer after McLaren, Red Bull fallout in Miami | F1 News

Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambius will join McLaren in a surprise move by 2028 but there appears to be disagreement over the role he will play.

Red Bull announced last month that Lambius was leaving his role as head of race engineering and Verstappen’s engineer to join McLaren, who said he would take over as chief racing officer “after 2028”.

McLaren also explained at the time of the announcement that the role of Chief Racing Officer already existed within their structure, and that the responsibilities are currently being handled by Andrea Stella in addition to his duties as team principal.

However, discussing Lambius’ exit at the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mackies said. Sky Sports F1 that his current employee is “going to be a team leader” at McLaren.

Responding to a question about Lambius, who has become the latest key figure to leave Red Bull in recent times, Mekis said: “We don’t want to be defensive about it. We’ve lost a number of key people in the last four, five years, that’s very true.

“We take this very seriously and everything we do is about trying to ensure the best environment to attract, develop and retain our people. I am confident that this is an area where we will be successful.

“Is it going to be a linear way that nobody leaves? No. GP (Lambius) got a tremendous opportunity. You know, he’s going to be the leader of the team there. It’s not like I can do anything but wish him well.”

Amid initial doubts that Mackey’s comments could be misinterpreted, Red Bull confirmed Sky Sports F1 The Frenchman believes Lambius will head the McLaren team.

Is there really any doubt about Stella’s future?

Stella joined McLaren as head of race operations from Ferrari in 2015 and became team principal in 2023 – in line with the Woking-based outfit’s upward trajectory over the past three years.

The 55-year-old is under a long-term contract at McLaren and earlier this year dismissed speculation he was leaving the team for Ferrari, amid suggestions the Italian could be tempted by a return to his homeland and former employers.

“Honestly, some of the recent rumours, including astronomical salaries and mythical pre-contract issues, make me laugh,” Stella told McLaren’s website in April.

“It almost seems like ‘silly season’, which usually starts before summer, has arrived early! I’m quite used to this sort of thing now and I take it with a smile.

“It almost looks as if some jealous pastry chef tried to ruin a good dessert preparation at McLaren Patisserie. However, we know very well how to separate the good ingredients from the toxic biscuits…”

However, Mackies’ comments raised fresh questions about Stella’s future as McLaren team boss.

If the Frenchman is correct that Lambius will become McLaren team principal, it means Stella has plans to change roles or leave the Woking squad.

‘Don’t play ping pong’

when Sky Sports F1 Stellar’s boss, McLaren chief executive Jack Brown, put Mackey’s comments on hold, maintaining his team’s dismissive approach to suggestions of a change at the American top.

“He (Mackeys) knows something that I obviously don’t,” Brown said.

“I got one (a team principal), and I got a great one. I got the best of Andrea Stella’s pit lane. I couldn’t be happier with Andrea (I’m with).”

Brown was spotted heading into Red Bull hospitality on race day at the Miami Grand Prix to speak with Mackies, who confirmed the pair discussed their comments about Lambius.

“I talk to Zak and my other colleagues often,” he said.

“But of course, neither of us wanted to ping pong with it, and we had a good chat about it, like we always do, and we moved on.”

Even ignoring the apparent disagreement between Red Bull and McLaren over Lambius’ future position, both teams will have to agree if Verstappen’s engineer leaves.

Red Bull have insisted that Lambius will see out his contract which runs until the end of 2027, with McLaren continuing to be in talks to sign him.

And Red Bull themselves are looking for a replacement for Lambius, which will be especially important for Verstappen, given his almost brotherly relationship with Lambius.

“The common understanding and chemistry we (me and Lambius) have with each other works really well,” said the four-time world champion.

“It’s very rare in racing. You don’t often see a driver and an engineer, they work so well together. It’s something I have to find again. It’s not that easy but sometimes, of course, it happens.”

Mackies added: “In terms of replacing the GP, we’ve had a few years to think about it. As much as, as I’ve said many times, we don’t want to be defensive about the fact that we’ve lost some talent, that’s a fact. And it’s been three or four years.

“As a result, ensuring we can create the environment to retain, develop and attract the best talent is a top priority for the team.

“We think we already have the best talent, category by category. And that starts with Ben (Hodgkinson) in his team’s power unit and Pierre (Wache) and his team on the chassis side.”

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