McLaren confirms Red Bull-departing Gianpiero Lambiase as Chief Racing Officer for 2028

McLaren has announced that Gianpiero Lambiase will become the F1 team's Chief Racing Officer following his Red Bull departure set for 2028, a role that will see him reporting to Team Principal, Andrea Stella.

Credit: Formula One

Following the shock news that Max Verstappen's longstanding race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to depart Red Bull in 2028, McLaren have confirmed that the British-Italian engineer will join their crew as the Chief Racing Officer under Team Principal Andrea Stella's leadership.

The Woking-based team stated: "McLaren Racing is pleased to announce that Gianpiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Formula One 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 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, 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 F1 Team under the leadership of Zak Brown and Stella, who are also both on long-term contracts.

"The team look forward to welcoming Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028."

The move is yet another foundational team pillar crumbling for Red Bull who have already seen several high-profile exits in recent years, but even more alarmingly for the Milton Keynes outfit, it might just be the final nail in the coffin indicating their number-one driver Verstappen's exit from from the team or even retirement from F1.

The Dutchman has been increasingly vocal of his displeasure towards the current set of regulations, and has even been on record stating that his time at Red Bull might come to an end if his partnership with Lambiase should discontinue.

With the four-time champion's F1 future uncertain and Red Bull's performance becoming a growing cause for concern, currently sitting sixth in the Constructors' behind the likes of Haas and Alpine (the latter of which they're tied on 16 points with), Lambiase's move to McLaren firmly signals the onset of a very difficult period for the former reigning champions.