(Motorsport-Total.com) – McLaren has officially confirmed the signing of Gianpiero Lambiase. After several media outlets had previously reported on the impending move of Max Verstappen’s race engineer, McLaren confirmed this in a press release on Thursday afternoon.
Read more Long-standing Mercedes engineer moves to Williams
In this, McLaren reveals that the role of “Chief Racing Officer” is intended for Lambiase. Regarding this, the team states: “The position of ‘Chief Racing Officer’ is already anchored in the team structure and includes the overall management of the racing team.”
“These tasks are currently performed by Andrea Stella in addition to his function as Team Principal,” the racing team explains. This means: Lambiase is intended to relieve Team Principal Stella and take over some of his tasks. Accordingly, there will be no major restructuring.
Also exciting is the last sentence in the press release: “The team looks forward to welcoming Gianpiero Lambiase after the expiry of his current contract, but no later than 2028.”
The most successful constructors in Formula 1
Because Lambiase is still under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2027. However, the wording in the press release leaves room for speculation and the possibility that the Bulls could release Lambiase from his contract early.
Read more Kimi Antonelli: Ferrari will «definitely get closer» to Mercedes
In this case, the 45-year-old could move to McLaren before 2028. However, Red Bull itself also issued a press release on Thursday afternoon, stating: “Red Bull Racing confirms that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028 when his current contract expires.”
There is no mention of an early departure there. “Until his planned departure, ‘GP’ will continue to perform his duties as ‘Head of Racing’ and as Max Verstappen’s race engineer,” the Bulls state.
Lambiase moved to Red Bull for the 2015 Formula 1 season; since 2016, he has worked there as a race engineer with Max Verstappen. In this role, he accompanied the Dutchman to four consecutive world championship titles between 2021 and 2024.