Lambiase's McLaren Role in Dispute: Team Principal or Chief Racing Officer?

Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's race engineer, is leaving Red Bull for McLaren no later than 2028. But a dispute has erupted over his future title: Red Bull says he'll be team principal, while McLaren says he'll be chief racing officer.

Why it matters:

The disagreement exposes the fierce competition for top F1 talent and raises questions about McLaren's long-term leadership. For Red Bull, losing Lambiase is another high-profile departure, following key exits over recent years, emphasizing their struggle to retain top staff.

The details:

• Red Bull's Mekies: Lambiase "is going to be a team principal" at McLaren.
• McLaren's Brown: "He knows something I don't. I've got a great one in Stella."
• McLaren announced Lambiase as "chief racing officer," a role currently held by Stella.
• Stella dismissed earlier Ferrari rumors, calling them "poisoned biscuits."

Between the lines:

If Mekies is correct, McLaren likely has a succession plan that would move Stella aside. But Brown's strong backing suggests either a misunderstanding or a confidential plan is in place.

What's next:

Lambiase is under contract with Red Bull until end of 2027. Both teams must negotiate his early release. Red Bull also needs to find a replacement for Verstappen's engineer, a critical role given their chemistry. Mekies and Brown discussed the matter in Miami and have moved on; more clarity may emerge at the Canadian GP. Red Bull's focus remains on retaining talent.