Zak Brown warns Red Bull over 'uncomfortable' Lambiase situation, draws Lewis Hamilton parallel

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has warned that Red Bull could face an "uncomfortable" internal situation as long as GianPiero Lambiase remains with the team, despite his confirmed future move to McLaren. Brown drew a direct parallel to Lewis Hamilton's early 2025 Ferrari announcement, suggesting knowledge-sharing restrictions will inevitably become a factor before Lambiase's eventual departure.

Why it matters:

The potential for restricted access to sensitive team information for a key employee bound for a rival is a recurring and delicate challenge in Formula 1. How Red Bull manages Lambiase's final years, and how it impacts his working relationship with Max Verstappen, could affect team dynamics and performance during a critical competitive period leading into the 2026 regulation changes.

The details:

• Confirmed Future Move: GianPiero 'GP' Lambiase, Max Verstappen's long-serving race engineer, has agreed to join McLaren as its Chief Racing Officer, but no later than the start of the 2028 season.
• Red Bull's Stance: Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has publicly stated that Lambiase will remain with the reigning champions for the "next two years," indicating the team intends to hold him to his current contract.
• Brown's Warning: Zak Brown acknowledged the awkward position, stating, "At some point, it'll be probably uncomfortable having someone that you know is going to a rival team."
• Hamilton Comparison: Brown explicitly compared the scenario to Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, noting that Mercedes began restricting the seven-time champion's access to certain knowledge after his early announcement. "That's just how the business works," Brown added.
• McLaren's Position: While open to an earlier arrival, Brown indicated McLaren is prepared to wait until 2028 if necessary, with the team's immediate focus locked on the 2026 season.
• Reporting Structure: Upon his eventual arrival at McLaren, Lambiase will report directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella in his senior operational role.

What's next:

The situation creates a multi-year subplot focused on internal team dynamics. Red Bull must now balance utilizing Lambiase's expertise against the natural need to protect intellectual property, a process that typically intensifies as a departure date nears. For McLaren, securing a top-tier operational mind like Lambiase is a long-term coup, but they must wait patiently while managing their own 2026 project. All parties will be navigating this "uncomfortable" reality for the foreseeable future.