Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure represents the end of an era full of successes and triumphs at Red Bull, but it is only the latest of numerous exits from Milton Keynes
The end of a cycle. Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure from Red Bull, following the sensational news reported by Erik Van Haren from the Netherlands, has definitely stirred up chaos in Milton Keynes.
Max Verstappen’s race engineer, after more than 11 years of service, is therefore ready to leave the Austrian team, settling in Woking, heading to McLaren. Unpredictable and sensational news for the Red Bull world, which has now truly reached the end of a long (and winning) cycle.
The domino effect of departures from Red Bull: Horner, Newey, Wheatley and… Lambiase
World Champion for four consecutive times with Max Verstappen, Lambiase has always been an essential point of reference for the Dutchman in F1, so much so as to fuel (now even more) rumors about his own possible departure from Milton Keynes, as well as a probable retirement.
However, Lambiase’s departure is only the latest in a long series over the past two years at Red Bull: from Adrian Newey to the more recent farewell of Helmut Marko, passing through Jonathan Wheatley and above all, Christian Horner.
Indeed, since May 2024, the effect of departures from Red Bull seems to know no end, with the sudden final goodbye of Newey (heading to Aston Martin) accompanied a few months later by Jonathan Wheatley, also leaving and heading to Audi.
In the middle lies the sensational affair linked to Horner, probably the main cause of the unrest on the pit wall, with the latter relieved of his duties in July 2025, and replaced by Laurent Mekies. The Frenchman, coming from the “little sister” VCARB, was called in to restructure a team torn apart in the previous months.
Lastly, the farewell and retirement from racing of Red Bull’s true leader, Helmut Marko, right at the end of the past year. That is why the departure of Lambiase, the last true senior figure along with Waché (for whom a departure is also hypothesized), would be the definitive end of a cycle, now truly in need of a reboot. With or without Max, time will tell.
