7 May 2026motorsportAnalysisRumor

McLaren Clarifies Gianpiero Lambiase's Role After 2028 Move from Red Bull

Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028 as Chief Racing Officer, not team principal, as Red Bull's Laurent Mekies hinted. Team bosses laugh off silly season rumors, while Red Bull outlines its talent retention strategy.

McLaren has quickly shut down speculation that Gianpiero Lambiase's 2028 arrival from Red Bull would see him become team principal, clarifying he will take the newly created role of Chief Racing Officer, reporting to Andrea Stella. The move, confirmed by both teams, sparked a brief media tussle after Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies suggested Lambiase was headed for the top job.

Why it matters:

Lambiase, long-time race engineer for Max Verstappen, is a key figure in Red Bull's success. His departure to a direct rival signals the ongoing talent shift in F1's competitive landscape. McLaren's swift clarification aims to stabilize its leadership structure, while Red Bull focuses on retaining and promoting its own talent pool.

The details:

McLaren's statement: Lambiase will be Chief Racing Officer, not team principal. CEO Zak Brown joked he already has "the best one in pitlane" with Stella, and visited Red Bull on Sunday morning to smooth over Mekies' comments.
Mekies' clarification: The Red Bull boss laughed off the exchange, saying the meeting was just "tasting the Red Bull." He emphasized the team is not defensive about losing talent but prioritizes creating an environment to retain and develop people.
Stella's reaction: The McLaren team principal smiled at "silly season" rumors, including those about his own future and "astronomical salaries," comparing them to "poisoned biscuits" from an envious pastry chef.
Red Bull's plan: Mekies stressed internal promotion as the primary strategy, citing Ben Waterhouse's expanded role and Andrea Landi joining from Ferrari/Racing Bulls. External hires remain an option if needed to replace Lambiase.

What's next:

With Lambiase’s move not until 2028, both teams have time to adjust. McLaren's leadership is settled, while Red Bull will continue building its pipeline. The episode highlights how even routine contract news can fuel F1's rumor mill, especially when it involves key players like Lambiase and the ever-competitive top teams.