Red Bull Chief Doubles Down on Gianpiero Lambiase McLaren Switch… read more 👇 details in the comments section
boss has reignited speculation surrounding the future of long-time Max Verstappen race engineer , insisting that the respected engineer is expected to become team principal at in the future despite repeated denials from the Woking-based outfit.
Lambiase, more commonly known throughout the paddock as “GP,” has been one of the most influential figures behind ’s rise to dominance in Formula 1. Since Verstappen’s promotion to Red Bull’s senior team in 2016 at just 18 years old, Lambiase has worked closely with the Dutch driver as his race engineer. Their partnership has become one of the most successful driver-engineer combinations in modern F1 history, helping Verstappen secure four world championships and guiding Red Bull to consecutive constructors’ titles.
However, after nearly a decade together, reports have emerged suggesting Lambiase is preparing for a major career move away from Red Bull. The British-Italian engineer is expected to join McLaren no later than 2028 in a senior leadership role believed to be Chief Racing Officer. His departure would mark another significant loss for Red Bull, with McLaren continuing to attract key talent from rival teams following their resurgence at the top of the sport.
The biggest talking point surrounding Lambiase’s move has been whether McLaren sees him as a long-term replacement for current team principal . Rumours intensified after Mekies appeared to reveal during the Miami Grand Prix weekend that GP was set to become McLaren’s future team boss.
At the time, many in the paddock dismissed Mekies’ comments as either a misunderstanding or an accidental slip of the tongue. Even McLaren CEO appeared amused by the suggestion, joking publicly that Mekies “knew something” he did not.
Despite McLaren’s attempts to cool speculation, Mekies has now firmly repeated his position during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend in Montreal. Speaking during the FIA press conference alongside Stella, the Red Bull chief made it clear he still believes Lambiase’s future destination is the top leadership role at McLaren.
Mekies explained that his understanding came directly from discussions held with Lambiase before the engineer finalized his decision to leave Red Bull. While he admitted he could not confirm when such a promotion might happen, he remained adamant about the substance of those conversations.
According to Mekies, the timing of any leadership transition at McLaren is not his concern, but he strongly indicated that becoming a team principal was part of Lambiase’s long-term plan when the move was discussed internally.
The comments have only intensified intrigue around McLaren’s future structure, particularly because Stella has played a major role in transforming the team into championship contenders again. Under his leadership, McLaren has steadily rebuilt its competitiveness and emerged as one of Red Bull’s fiercest rivals on the grid.
When asked directly about the rumours, Stella carefully avoided dismissing Lambiase’s importance but stopped short of confirming any succession plan. Instead, the Italian explained that McLaren’s strategy is to build the strongest leadership group possible by hiring elite talent from across Formula 1.
Stella emphasized that successful teams require experienced leaders in multiple positions and referenced his own time at during the dominant years of the early 2000s as proof of how vital a deep management structure can be.
He also admitted that the responsibilities of being McLaren team principal are extensive and that adding someone with Lambiase’s experience would significantly strengthen the organization. According to Stella, bringing GP into the team is part of a broader long-term vision aimed at reinforcing McLaren’s leadership rather than replacing the current hierarchy.
Still, his comments did little to completely silence speculation. With Formula 1’s “silly season” already generating major rumours about future driver and management changes, many believe Lambiase’s arrival could eventually lead to a reshaping of McLaren’s executive structure.
For Red Bull, losing Lambiase would represent more than just a technical departure. The engineer has become deeply connected to Verstappen’s success, often serving as the calm but firm voice guiding the reigning world champion through intense races and strategic battles. Their radio exchanges have become iconic among F1 fans, showcasing both tension and mutual trust during critical moments.
Whether Lambiase ultimately becomes McLaren’s future team principal remains unclear, but Mekies’ repeated claims have ensured the rumours will continue dominating headlines across the Formula 1 world.