Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has expressed respect for Gianpiero Lambiase's decision to join McLaren as chief racing officer in 2028, calling it a rare chance after nearly a decade with the team. The move follows supportive comments from Max Verstappen and makes Lambiase the third key Red Bull staffer to depart for the reigning champions.
Gianpiero Lambiase, 45, joined Red Bull in 2015 and has been Max Verstappen's race engineer since 2016, contributing to four drivers' titles and two constructors' championships. He assumed the head of racing role in 2025 after Jonathan Wheatley's exit to Sauber, but will now assist McLaren's Andrea Stella trackside.
In comments to Sky Sports, Mekies said the team had long discussed the opportunity with Lambiase: 'We respect the fact that this opportunity comes once in a lifetime. We only wish him well in that next phase. We will, when the time comes, make sure we turn that into an opportunity for our people.'
As previously reported, Verstappen—who already endorsed the move publicly—reinforced their lifelong friendship despite the partnership's successes. Lambiase follows Red Bull figures Rob Marshall (chief designer) and Will Courtenay (sporting director) to McLaren.
