Verstappen backs Lambiase's Red Bull exit, praises his move to McLaren

Red Bull’s dominant driver Max Verstappen has openly supported the departure of his longtime race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, confirming the engineer will leave the team for McLaren by 2028. Lambiase, known as “GP”, is set to become McLaren’s Chief Racing Officer, a move Verstappen called “daft not to take” after hearing the offer.

Why it matters:

• Lambiase has been the conduit between Verstappen and Red Bull’s performance crew for over a decade; his exit could disrupt the driver’s rhythm.

The details:

• Red Bull announced in early April that Lambiase will join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer, with the switch due no later than 2028.
• Verstappen told Viaplay the engineer asked for his blessing; Verstappen replied, “You’d be daft not to take it,” and highlighted the family‑focused security of the new role.
• The pair have been described as the grid’s “old married couple,” credited with many of Red Bull’s titles since 2014.

What's next:

• Red Bull must appoint a new race engineer for Verstappen, likely promoting from within to preserve continuity.
• McLaren gains a seasoned strategist with inside knowledge of a championship team, potentially accelerating its own performance trajectory.