McLaren hails GianPiero Lambiase signing as 'icing on the cake'

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has described the signing of Max Verstappen's Red Bull race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, as "the icing on the cake," highlighting it as proof of the team's renewed appeal to top F1 talent. Lambiase will join as Chief Racing Officer by 2028, taking on some of Stella's current duties to allow for a more sustainable leadership structure as the team continues its championship-winning form.

Why it matters:

This high-profile signing signals McLaren's complete transformation from a midfield team to a dominant force and a desirable workplace. Securing a key figure from the sport's reigning champion demonstrates the team's competitive and cultural appeal, which is crucial for long-term success. Furthermore, it addresses the growing operational demands of modern F1 by strategically dividing critical leadership roles.

The details:

• McLaren successfully recruited GianPiero Lambiase from Red Bull Racing, where he has been Max Verstappen's race engineer since 2016, fending off interest from other teams like Aston Martin.
• Lambiase will assume the new role of Chief Racing Officer "no later" than 2028, relieving Team Principal Andrea Stella of some operational burdens.
• Stella emphasized that the signing reflects the healthy culture and success built at McLaren, making it "attractive to the best talents in Formula 1."
• The move is part of a strategic plan by Stella and CEO Zak Brown to ensure long-term leadership stability, acknowledging that the role of team principal has become too complex for one person to also manage all racing operations.
• Stella cited the expanded calendar and the team's growth—a 20% increase in workforce over three years—as key reasons for creating the new position.

What's next:

With Lambiase's arrival set for 2028, McLaren solidifies its leadership pipeline for the future. Stella directly addressed and dismissed recent rumors linking him to a return to Ferrari, calling them early "silly season" speculation that made him smile. While Stella's position remains secure, industry sources suggest Lambiase's long-term potential at McLaren could eventually include stepping into the team principal role, a possibility that may have been part of the discussions to bring him from Red Bull.