Gianpiero Lambiase will reportedly depart from Red Bull Racing and assume the chief racing officer role at McLaren in 2027.
Linking formerly with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen team, Lambiase has handled an array of tactical decisions across more than a decade of Formula 1 racing, positioning him as a prime candidate to bolster McLaren’s race operation.
Lambiase’s Transition to McLaren
McLaren confirmed its intent to bring Lambiase on board with a formal appointment, announcing that he will report directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella. The move brings the engineer under the leadership of CEO Zak Brown, who expresses confidence that the transition can occur prior to the 2027 season.
Strategic Implications for the Red Bull Organisation
Red Bull’s Gianpiero Lambiase left after a nine‑year tenure focused on Maximising Verstappen’s race performance. His departure opens the possibility for his current race‑engineering duties to shift to Woking earlier than the 2028 deadline the team had publicly stated.
McLaren’s Long‑Term Vision
McLaren’s statement highlights that the new role “reinforces the talent pool already present at McLaren” and signals a “long‑term commitment” to championship contention. It contextualises the hire within the team’s strategy to retain and elevate skilled personnel, alongside the retention of key figures such as Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay.
In discussions with Sky Sports, Zak Brown noted that the current year “has seen significant gains” and that drivers continue to perform at a high level, suggesting that Lambiase’s expertise will help extend that upward trajectory.
With Lambiase’s deep experience in handling high‑pressure decision‑making, McLaren is positioned to deepen Carrier‑led gains and sharpen its competitive edge for the upcoming seasons.
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