Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is reportedly set to leave Red Bull Racing in a major shake-up that could see him join rivals McLaren in the coming years.
The potential departure of Lambiase—widely known in the paddock as “GP”—marks another significant change for Red Bull, a team that has already experienced a series of high-profile exits over the past two seasons. Names such as Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko, and Jonathan Wheatley have all been linked with departures, contributing to a growing sense of transition within the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Lambiase first joined Red Bull in 2015, initially working as race engineer to Daniil Kvyat. However, his career trajectory changed dramatically in 2016 when he began working with Verstappen following the Dutch driver’s promotion to the senior team. Since then, the partnership between driver and engineer has become one of the most successful in modern Formula One history.
Together, Lambiase and Verstappen have secured four consecutive world championships between 2021 and 2024, with their collaboration often highlighted for its intensity, clarity, and effectiveness under pressure. Lambiase’s calm yet firm communication style on team radio became a defining feature of Verstappen’s race weekends, helping guide the driver through countless victories and title-winning campaigns.
In addition to his race engineering responsibilities, Lambiase’s influence within Red Bull expanded in 2024 when he was promoted to the role of Head of Racing. This position saw him take on broader leadership duties while still maintaining his place on the pit wall as Verstappen’s primary voice during races—a rare dual role in Formula One.
Despite his importance to the team, reports now suggest that Lambiase is preparing for a new chapter in his career. A move to McLaren is believed to be in the works, with the British team keen to strengthen its technical and operational structure as it looks to build on its recent resurgence.
While the exact timing of the switch remains unclear, Lambiase is still under contract with Red Bull, meaning any transition may not take place immediately. Some sources indicate that 2028 is the latest possible date for his arrival at McLaren, while others suggest a deal could see him join as early as next year once his current contract expires.
At McLaren, Lambiase is expected to take on a senior leadership role, working closely with team principal Andrea Stella. His responsibilities could include overseeing race operations and providing strategic support, potentially easing some of the race-weekend workload currently carried by Stella.
If confirmed, Lambiase’s departure would represent a major loss for Red Bull and a significant gain for McLaren, further shifting the competitive dynamics within Formula One as teams continue to evolve in the sport’s new era.
