Sensational news from the Netherlands: Gianpiero Lambiase is reportedly one step away from leaving Red Bull to join McLaren. And Max…
Sensational from the Netherlands. The news reported by Erik Van Haren for the Dutch newspaper “De Telegraaf” is definitely shaking up the circus paddock.
Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s current race engineer and Head of Racing at Red Bull, has reportedly accepted a monster offer presented by McLaren, effectively leaving Milton Keynes.
This could have enormous repercussions in the F1 world: a hypothetical arrival of Lambiase at McLaren (it is still unclear in what role within the team) would therefore free up a spot at Red Bull, as well as cause a domino effect (and a departure) from the Woking squad.
Lambiase at McLaren: the destiny of Andrea Stella and Max
So, as we were saying, Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren. But when? According to Van Haren, the arrival of the Italian-English engineer should take place at the end of the 2027 season, with activities scheduled to begin in 2028.
The choice to welcome Lambiase to Woking, however, would be dictated by another important factor: Andrea Stella, team principal of the British squad, could indeed leave the team at the end of the next season.
After two consecutive Constructors’ World Championships and a Drivers’ World Championship won with Lando Norris, Stella could therefore leave the English manufacturer, and the hypothesis of a sensational return to Ferrari cannot be ruled out (again, according to De Telegraaf, ed.).
Returning to Lambiase, his departure from Red Bull would not only represent a huge loss for Mekies’ team, but in all likelihood, it would also drag Max Verstappen into leaving the team. Perhaps heading to McLaren? Perhaps retiring from F1 forever? It is all still to be discovered.
Photos: RBR Daily, Max Verstappen X, redbullracing.com
