Formula 1 analyst Karun Chandhok has warned Red Bull to secure a high-profile signing following Gianpiero Lambiase's departure to McLaren. The former race engineer for Max Verstappen will join McLaren as chief racing officer by 2028. Red Bull sits sixth in the constructors' standings after a tough start to the 2026 season.
Gianpiero Lambiase, known as GP and long-time race engineer for four-time champion Max Verstappen, has left Red Bull. He is set to move to McLaren in Woking as chief racing officer by 2028, marking another high-profile exit from the Milton Keynes-based team under Laurent Mekies' leadership. Lambiase's departure comes amid other personnel changes at Red Bull. Karun Chandhok, a former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst, discussed the situation on the Sky Sports F1 Show. He urged Red Bull to make a 'big name signing' not just for expertise, but to halt further losses and draw talent from rivals. 'Right now, you want to attract people from Mercedes. They're the ones winning,' Chandhok said, noting Mercedes' dominance in the first three rounds of 2026. He warned that good engineers attract others, referencing how Lambiase might lure colleagues to McLaren. 'How long before GP starts calling the other 20 people... 'Hey, you know what guys, this place down at Woking, this is a really nice place to work',' Chandhok added, comparing it to moves by Adrian Newey and Ross Brawn. Red Bull has struggled early in the season, holding 16 points and sixth place in the constructors' standings after three races.