Mekies doubles down on Lambiase McLaren claim

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has again claimed that Gianpiero Lambiase, the race engineer of Max Verstappen, is set to become McLaren team principal when he joins in 2028. McLaren and CEO Zak Brown have denied that interpretation, saying Lambiase’s role as chief racing officer is part of a wider leadership strengthening. The topic resurfaced in Canada during Friday’s FIA press conference, with Mekies sticking to his view.

Why it matters:

The public dispute over Lambiase’s future highlights the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and speculation that often surrounds high-profile personnel moves in F1. If Mekies is correct, it would mark a significant leadership shake-up at McLaren, while a dismissal by McLaren could indicate a broader attempt to manage expectations and avoid instability.

The details:

• Mekies’ claim: “It’s certainly my understanding that GP is going to McLaren to become a team principal,” he said in Montreal. He added that his conversations had always pointed to that role, though he is not involved in timing.
• McLaren’s rebuttal: Andrea Stella, appearing alongside Mekies, reiterated that Lambiase’s arrival fits a strategy to “build the strongest team” and that “any other speculation leads us back to the silly season.”
• Context: Lambiase was confirmed last month to join McLaren in 2028 as chief racing officer, supporting Stella. Mekies previously made similar comments in Miami, which Zak Brown dismissed a day later.

What's next:

The debate over Lambiase’s title is unlikely to die down soon, especially as the 2028 move is still years away. Meanwhile, Mekies also brushed off attention on Toto Wolff’s chat with Jos Verstappen in Montreal, calling it “no intention particularly behind” the interaction and reaffirming Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull.