Verstappen ally Gianpiero Lambiase to join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer no later than 2028

Long-time Max Verstappen ally in his senior race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer, once his current contract with Red Bull ends in 2028.

‘GP’ as he’s more affectionately known as, has been a member of Red Bull Racing since 2015 and has engineered for Verstappen since the Dutchman arrived at Milton Keynes in 2016. The pair ultimately having gone on to win four consecutive drivers championships.

A pairing that has yielded one of the most fascinating and entertaining driver-engineer partnerships seen in F1.

A Red Bull statement read: “Oracle Red Bull Racing 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.

“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 add more success to our strong track record together.”

Becoming yet another high-profile Red Bull team member to depart the former world championship juggernaut, ‘GP’ will join his former Milton Keynes colleagues in Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay at McLaren.

McLaren’s statement also read: “McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that Gianpiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal, Andrea Stella.

“The role of the Chief Racing Officer already exists within the team’s structure with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as Team Principal.

“Lambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren Mastercard, while also reaffirming the team’s long-term commitment to confirming its position as a Championship-winning team.

“The team’s ability to attract and secure top talent, like Lambiase, and previously Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, alongside the retention and promotion of highly-talented people already within the team, is a testament to the strategic vision and culture that are integrally embodied in the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, who are also both on long-term contracts.

“The team look forward to welcoming Gianpiero Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028.”

Intriguing too, as to whether McLaren tabled a better offer than the likes of Aston Martin or Williams, who during the offseason were rumoured destinations for ‘GP’. There is speculation however, while he’s announced to be effectively Stella’s offsider, whether longer term ‘GP’ is seen as the succession plan should the suggestions of the incumbent Team Principal being courted back to Ferrari eventuate.

However, even if it’s not an immediate departure, the timing of this announcement will further fuel the fire around Verstappen and whether or not he’ll remain in F1 or at least with Red Bull. Having vowed after his maiden title win in 2021 during a Ziggo Sport interview, should ‘GP’ ever leave then that would prompt him to do so also.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade and is a member of the AIPS (International Sports Press Association). Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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