Gianpiero Lambiase Linked With Red Bull Exit as Talks With Rival Teams Emerge
Speculation surrounding the future of Gianpiero Lambiase at Red Bull Racing is continuing to intensify, with fresh reports suggesting that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer could be preparing to leave the Milton Keynes outfit altogether.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the once rock-solid partnership between Verstappen and Lambiase — a relationship that dates back to the Dutch driver’s arrival at Red Bull in 2016 — was approaching its conclusion. The duo have been central to Red Bull’s era of dominance, working together through multiple world championship campaigns and countless race victories.
Initial reports indicated that Lambiase’s potential departure from the pit wall was largely down to lifestyle considerations. The British-Italian engineer is understood to have grown weary of the relentless travel demands that come with being a race engineer in Formula 1. During the 2025 season, Lambiase notably missed two race weekends — the Austrian and Belgian Grands Prix — adding fuel to suggestions that he was seeking a reduced trackside role.
At the time, it was widely believed that Red Bull intended to retain Lambiase within the organisation by moving him into a senior factory-based or managerial position. Such a transition would have allowed the team to preserve his experience and technical insight while accommodating his desire for a lighter travel schedule.
However, the narrative has shifted significantly in recent weeks. According to new reports, Lambiase is now actively engaged in discussions with rival Formula 1 teams, most notably Williams and Aston Martin. These developments suggest that his future may lie outside the Red Bull structure entirely.
Williams were initially thought to be the frontrunners in the race for Lambiase’s signature. The Grove-based team, under the leadership of team principal James Vowles, has been undergoing a major rebuild aimed at restoring the squad to competitiveness. Vowles, a former senior Mercedes strategist, has been vocal about the need to strengthen Williams’ technical leadership and culture, and Lambiase was reportedly viewed as a key figure who could contribute significantly to that process.
Some media outlets even went as far as claiming that an agreement between Williams and Lambiase could be announced before Christmas. That announcement never materialised, casting doubt on how advanced those discussions truly were.
Attention has since shifted toward Aston Martin, where a potential reunion with Adrian Newey could be on the cards. Newey, Red Bull’s former chief technical officer, recently made a shock move to Aston Martin, where he now serves as both team principal and managing technical director.
Newey’s appointment raised eyebrows across the paddock, as the legendary designer has long expressed a preference for focusing on car design rather than team management. His willingness to take on such a broad leadership role was therefore unexpected, prompting speculation that the arrangement could be temporary.
In parallel, former Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell has transitioned into a strategic role within the organisation. Cowell is now tasked with coordinating Aston Martin’s partnerships with Honda, Valvoline, and Aramco — a position that plays to his extensive background in power unit development from his time at Mercedes.
Before Newey’s promotion, figures such as Christian Horner and former McLaren boss Andreas Seidl were reportedly in discussions with Aston Martin regarding the team principal position, with the idea that Newey would act as an interim solution. That context makes Lambiase’s reported link to Aston Martin particularly intriguing.
While no details have emerged regarding the specific role Lambiase would occupy if he joins Aston Martin, his reputation as one of the most respected race engineers in the sport makes him an attractive asset. Whether he would work directly with drivers, move into a senior engineering leadership role, or operate in a more strategic capacity remains unclear.
For Red Bull, Lambiase’s potential exit would mark the end of one of the most successful driver–engineer partnerships in Formula 1 history. For Verstappen, it would represent another significant change during a period of broader transition within the team.
As talks continue behind the scenes, Lambiase’s next move could have far-reaching implications — not just for Red Bull, but for the competitive balance of Formula 1 as a whole.
