Red Bull Racing have officially confirmed that long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team at the end of the 2028 season, bringing an end to one of the most successful partnerships in modern Formula 1.
Lambiase, widely known in the paddock as “GP,” has been a central figure in the career of Max Verstappen since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016. Over the years, the pair have built a formidable working relationship, guiding the team to multiple championship successes and establishing themselves as one of the most effective driver–engineer duos in the sport.
In a statement released by the team, Red Bull confirmed that Lambiase will remain in his current roles until his contract expires in 2028. “Red Bull confirms that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires. GP is a valued member of the team, which he joined in 2015,” the statement read. “Until his planned departure, GP continues in his roles as Head of Racing and as Race Engineer to Max Verstappen. The team and he are fully committed to adding more success to our strong track record together.”
The announcement follows news that Lambiase will join McLaren after his Red Bull exit, where he is expected to take on the role of chief racing officer. In that position, he will report directly to team principal Andrea Stella, becoming a key part of McLaren’s leadership structure as the Woking-based outfit continues to strengthen its technical and operational departments.
Lambiase’s move marks the latest in a series of high-profile personnel shifts between the two rival teams. Over the past 18 months, McLaren have successfully recruited several senior Red Bull figures, including respected engineer Rob Marshall and sporting director Will Courtenay. This growing pipeline of talent from Milton Keynes to Woking signals McLaren’s intent to challenge more consistently at the front of the grid in the coming years.
Naturally, the news has sparked speculation regarding Verstappen’s future. The reigning world champion, who has enjoyed immense success under Lambiase’s guidance, is also contracted to Red Bull until 2028. However, reports have suggested that the Dutch driver has been weighing up his long-term future in the sport, with even the possibility of an early exit or retirement being discussed.
The strength of the Verstappen–Lambiase partnership has been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s dominance in recent seasons. Their communication over team radio, often direct and candid, has become a defining feature of race weekends. Losing that connection could represent a significant shift not only for Verstappen personally, but also for the team’s competitive dynamics.
Interestingly, comments made by Lambiase in a 2023 interview have resurfaced in light of the announcement. Speaking at the time, he emphasized how unique his collaboration with Verstappen had been. He suggested that once their partnership came to an end, he would be ready to pursue a new challenge, adding that it would be difficult to replicate the same level of understanding with another driver. Those remarks now appear to foreshadow his planned move to McLaren in 2028.
Meanwhile, Lambiase’s appointment has also had implications beyond Red Bull. Recent speculation had linked McLaren team principal Andrea Stella with a potential move to Ferrari, but the confirmation of Lambiase’s future role appears to reinforce stability within McLaren’s leadership. The team’s announcement made no mention of Stella stepping aside, suggesting that he remains firmly in charge as McLaren continue to build for the future.
As things stand, Red Bull, Lambiase, and Verstappen remain fully aligned in their objectives through to 2028. With several seasons still ahead, the focus will remain on adding further titles to an already impressive legacy before this iconic partnership ultimately comes to a close.
