Gianpiero Lambiase Linked With Potential Red Bull Exit as Williams and Aston Martin Hold Talks
Gianpiero Lambiase, the long-time race engineer to four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, could be approaching the end of an era at Red Bull Racing, with growing indications that he is considering a move elsewhere ahead of the sport’s new regulatory cycle.
Lambiase has been a central figure in Verstappen’s extraordinary success, forming one of the most effective driver-engineer partnerships in modern Formula 1. Together, they have delivered four consecutive drivers’ championships, playing a key role in Red Bull’s period of dominance at the top of the sport. However, recent reports suggest that their partnership may soon conclude.
It was initially believed that the conclusion of the 2025 season would mark the natural endpoint of Lambiase’s tenure alongside Verstappen. The 45-year-old British engineer, who holds dual British and Italian citizenship, is understood to have raised concerns with Red Bull management about the demanding travel schedule associated with a full Formula 1 calendar. Those concerns became evident during the 2025 campaign, when Lambiase missed the Austrian and Belgian Grands Prix, with veteran engineer Simon Rennie stepping in as his replacement.
While Red Bull had anticipated a gradual transition, interest from rival teams has accelerated the situation. Lambiase has been strongly linked with Aston Martin in recent months, but Motorsport.com reports that Williams have also entered discussions, with team principal James Vowles leading negotiations on behalf of the Grove-based outfit.
Williams’ interest is believed to be driven by the team’s ongoing resurgence and long-term ambition. Once one of Formula 1’s most successful constructors, Williams has spent much of the past decade rebuilding. That effort showed tangible results in 2025, when the team finished fifth in the constructors’ championship — its strongest result since 2017. Sources suggest Lambiase is attracted to the challenge of helping guide the team back toward the front of the grid.
Broadcaster Radiobox previously claimed that Lambiase was close to finalising a move to Williams before Christmas. However, despite those reports, no agreement has yet been confirmed, with Aston Martin still actively pursuing his signature and discussions remaining open on multiple fronts.
At Aston Martin, Lambiase’s potential role appears less clearly defined. Early speculation suggested that the Silverstone-based team had considered offering him a senior management position, potentially at CEO or team principal level. The team principal role is currently held by Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin following his departure from Red Bull amid a broader restructuring at the Milton Keynes operation.
However, it is widely understood that Newey has no desire to retain a long-term organisational leadership role. Instead, the legendary designer intends to focus primarily on technical development, particularly as Aston Martin prepares for its exclusive Honda power unit partnership in the coming seasons. That leaves questions over where Lambiase would fit within the evolving management structure.
Newey is known to hold Lambiase in extremely high regard, having worked closely with him during Red Bull’s championship-winning campaigns. Sources indicate that Newey would welcome the opportunity to work alongside Lambiase once again, should the British engineer choose to join Aston Martin.
Some within the paddock believe Aston Martin’s interest in Lambiase could also have strategic implications beyond engineering. The team has been repeatedly linked with Max Verstappen as a long-term target, particularly amid uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s internal leadership changes. The replacement of Christian Horner by Laurent Mekies as team principal has reignited speculation over Verstappen’s future, despite the Dutchman’s public commitment to Red Bull in the short term.
In that context, appointing Lambiase could be seen as a way of strengthening ties with Verstappen ahead of a potential move later in the decade, possibly as early as 2027. While there is no indication that Verstappen’s immediate plans are changing, Formula 1 teams are increasingly positioning themselves for future opportunities.
A move to Williams, however, would signal a very different motivation. Insiders suggest that joining the Grove-based team would be far less about Verstappen and far more about Lambiase himself. Such a decision would underline his growing reputation as one of the most respected engineers in the sport, capable of leading ambitious projects independently rather than operating solely within a driver-focused environment.
As Formula 1 heads toward one of the biggest regulatory resets in its history, experienced technical leadership is at a premium. Whether Lambiase ultimately chooses Williams, Aston Martin, or remains at Red Bull for another chapter, his next decision is likely to have a significant impact on the competitive landscape of the grid.
For now, Red Bull face the possibility of losing one of the key figures behind their recent dominance — a development that would mark the end of one of Formula 1’s most successful partnerships and open a new chapter for both Lambiase and the teams vying for his expertise.
