Respected Dutch outlet De Telegraaf has reported that GianPiero Lambiase will be joining the McLaren F1 squad. In a statement, the Woking-based team confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon.
It will mark the end of a long and successful partnership with Red Bull Racing.
The signing of Lambiase continues McLaren’s run of taking big Red Bull F1 team members
According to De Telegraaf, McLaren offered the British engineer a significant pay rise to what he was getting at Red Bull Racing. Since the middle of 2025, there has been a lot of speculation about the future of ‘GP’. Aston Martin and Williams were both tipped as potential destinations at various points. However, that has not come to pass.
This is not the first big coup McLaren have pulled off in recent years. Following the signing of Rob Marshall, who became the Chief Designer and helped the team win their first Constructors’ Championship in 2024 for 26 years, Will Courtenay also moved across and is the Sporting Director for the Woking-based team.
Lambiase will be helping Andrea Stella trackside, with a role as Chief Racing Officer. The Italian has done a remarkable job in his tenure to date at McLaren. He has led the team to two Constructors’ Championships, and a Drivers’ Championship with Lando Norris last year. The 55-year-old is universally popular and well-liked within the team.
The end of a very successful era
After joining Red Bull Racing in 2015 following a 10-year spell at Jordan, Midland, Spyker and Force India, Gianpiero Lambiase quickly became a massive name in the sport once he was partnered with Max Verstappen.
In their 10 years together, the pair have won 71 races and four Drivers’ Championships to date. Strong radio messages and trust have led to them getting the best out of each other. They have become one of the most iconic duos in the sport’s history.
The future of the Dutchman in Formula 1 remains up in the air.
McLaren F1 statement on signing GianPiero Lambiase:
“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.”
Red Bull Racing statement
“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.”
