Red Bull Shocker: Max Verstappen’s Key Ally GianPiero Lambiase Set for McLaren Move
Red Bull Racing is poised to lose one of Max Verstappen’s most critical supporters in a high-profile shakeup. GianPiero Lambiase, the trusted race engineer for Verstappen, is reportedly departing the team to join direct competitor McLaren.
The move marks the end of a highly successful collaboration between the driver and his engineer. According to reports from NU and news.gp, Lambiase is expected to make the switch to McLaren in 2028.
The departure is a significant blow to Red Bull’s operational stability. Reports from De Telegraaf indicate that the engineer accepted an “astronomical offer” from the Woking-based team to facilitate the move.
Lambiase is not the only high-ranking figure to leave the squad recently. As noted by De Limburger, he is the latest “Red Bull powerhouse” to exit for a rival, further emphasizing a trend of key personnel shifting toward major competitors.
This strategic acquisition allows McLaren to bring in a veteran engineer with a proven track record of success at the highest level of Formula 1. For Verstappen, the 2028 transition will signal a major change in his support system and the loss of a long-term ally on the pit wall.
