Key Highlights:
- McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown expects Gianpiero Lambiase to make the switch to McLaren sooner than initially planned, potentially arriving as early as next year.
- Lambiase was confirmed in April to take up the role of Chief Racing Officer at McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, reporting directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella.
- The British-Italian engineer will depart Red Bull Racing after more than a decade working alongside four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Zak Brown Hints at Accelerated Timeline for Gianpiero Lambiase’s McLaren Move
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has revealed that Red Bull Racing’s head of race engineering, Gianpiero Lambiase, could transition to the Woking-based outfit significantly ahead of schedule. While original timelines pointed toward an arrival by 2028 when his existing commitments conclude, comments from the McLaren boss suggest an accelerated path away from Milton Keynes.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the arrival of Max Verstappen’s longtime race engineer, Brown expressed confidence about securing his services in the near term. “I’m optimistic we’ll see him in papaya at some point next year,”
he told the broadcaster.
Lambiase’s New Responsibilities as Chief Racing Officer
Earlier this year in April, McLaren officially confirmed that Lambiase would be joining the squad in the newly designated position of Chief Racing Officer. In that role, he is slated to take charge of overall trackside leadership for the race team, answering to Andrea Stella.
When the original announcement was made, McLaren issued an official statement outlining the move: “McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting to Team Principal, Andrea Stella.
The role of the chief racing officer already exists within the team’s structure, with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as team principal. Lambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren Mastercard, while also reaffirming the team’s long-term commitment to confirming its position as a Championship-winning team.
“The team’s ability to attract and secure top talent, like Lambiase, and previously Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, alongside the retention and promotion of highly-talented people already within the team, is a testament to the strategic vision and culture that are integrally embodied in the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, who are also both on long-term contracts.
“The team look forward to welcoming GianPiero Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028.”
Momentum and Operational Expansion in Woking
Lambiase brings over a decade of high-stakes trackside experience from working alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen, having steered the pit wall through countless intricate strategic decisions during grands prix. His arrival is designed to alleviate the trackside operational load currently handled by Stella, freeing the team principal to dedicate greater focus to overarching leadership responsibilities.
The push to bring in senior personnel comes alongside a rebound in form on the track. Although drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri encountered hurdles during the early phase of the 2026 campaign, the latter half of the season has demonstrated visible performance progress.
“Very excited with everything that we’ve got going on at the factory,”
Brown told Sky Sports. “The men and women have been doing a great job. We’ve made a lot of gains this year from what was a very tough start to the year, but I feel like we’re on top of things now.
“Drivers are driving great, and you know, exciting, exciting times.”
Why This Matters
McLaren’s continued recruitment of key technical and trackside personnel from Red Bull—following the earlier acquisitions of figures like Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay—demonstrates an ongoing restructuring designed to cement McLaren’s status as a championship-winning organization. If Lambiase joins earlier than his contractual backstop of 2028, it would weaken Red Bull’s established race-management infrastructure while simultaneously giving McLaren immediate access to his strategic expertise and leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role will Gianpiero Lambiase have at McLaren?
Gianpiero Lambiase will serve as Chief Racing Officer for the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, overseeing overall leadership of the race team and reporting directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella.
When was Lambiase originally scheduled to join McLaren?
McLaren’s official announcement stated that the team looked forward to welcoming Lambiase when his existing contract concluded, no later than 2028. However, Zak Brown has indicated optimism that he could join the team as early as next year.
Who currently handles the duties of the Chief Racing Officer at McLaren?
The duties associated with the Chief Racing Officer position have been managed directly by Team Principal Andrea Stella alongside his primary team leadership responsibilities.
