Verstappen Already Has Lambiase Successor in Mind at Red Bull

Max Verstappen has indicated he already knows who will replace Gianpiero Lambiase as his race engineer when the Briton departs Red Bull for McLaren in 2028. The Red Bull driver revealed the candidate is already inside the team, with a gradual transition expected later this year.

Why it matters:

Lambiase has partnered Verstappen for over a decade, forging one of the most dominant driver-engineer bonds in Formula 1. Because race engineers serve as a driver's primary link to the garage, trust and chemistry are non-negotiable. Verstappen's early, decisive move signals how seriously Red Bull is treating continuity ahead of a major personnel shake-up.

The details:

• Lambiase will end his 10-plus-year stint as Verstappen's race engineer to join McLaren for the 2028 season.
• Speaking to Viaplay, Verstappen said: "I do have ideas about who I want. He's also around within the team, so it will just happen gradually."
• The Dutchman stressed the change is not imminent, but a handover will likely begin toward the end of 2026.
• As the move draws closer, Red Bull will reduce data sharing with Lambiase to protect strategic secrets.

What's next:

Red Bull must balance a long transition window against the risk of leaking competitive intelligence to a future McLaren figure. Verstappen will likely begin integrating his eventual race engineer into race weekends before any formal announcement. Lambiase's successor should become clearer as the 2026 season unfolds and the team locks in its 2028 structure.