Marko calls Lambiase’s exit a ‘significant loss’ for Verstappen

Red Bull confirmed that race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team after 2027 to become McLaren’s chief racing engineer in 2028. Helmut Marko called the move a “significant loss” for Max Verstappen, highlighting the pair’s chemistry that helped deliver four world titles.

Why it matters:

• Lambiase’s decade‑long partnership with Verstappen shaped race strategy and car set‑up, a key factor in Red Bull’s four‑year championship run.
• His departure gives McLaren a proven champion‑winning engineer, potentially accelerating their climb back toward the front of the grid.

The details:

• Red Bull announced Lambiase will leave after 2027, confirming his move to McLaren in 2028.
• McLaren hired the 45‑year‑old as chief racing engineer, reporting to team principal Andrea Stella.
• Marko called the Verstappen‑Lambiase duo “like an old married couple,” noting their arguments and shared success.
• Lambiase’s role spanned car development, set‑up decisions and strategic tyre choices, influencing race outcomes beyond the pit wall.

What's next:

• Red Bull will promote a new race engineer for Verstappen in 2028, aiming to keep the driver’s rhythm intact.
• McLaren expects Lambiase’s championship experience to boost performance and refine pit‑stop strategy.
• If Lambiase replicates his Red Bull success, McLaren could close the performance gap and challenge the frontrunners sooner than expected.