McLaren took the chance to boast about the talent they have poached from Red Bull in recent years as they confirmed another big-name signing from their rivals. The latest to switch sides is Gianpiero Lambiase, head of racing and race engineer to Max Verstappen who, after a decade of working with the Dutchman, has decided to take on a fresh challenge.
Red Bull say Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, after the expiry of his current contract. In their own statement on Thursday afternoon, McLaren suggested there may be some room for negotiation on that front as they said Lambiase will begin work as their new chief racing officer “no later than 2028”.
But another line from their announcement also stuck out. As they confirmed they had secured Lambiase’s signature, McLaren pointed out that he joins the likes of Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay in having made the move from Red Bull in recent years.
Marshall is chief technical officer and chief designer and, since starting work in 2024, has been credited for having a significant role in McLaren’s rapid performance improvements which have culminated in back-to-back constructors’ championship successes, as well as a drivers’ title for Lando Norris last year. Meanwhile, Courtenay began work as sporting director in January this year after a protracted negotiation with Red Bull, where he previously served as head of race strategy.
McLaren mentioned both their names as they crowed about having poached another key signing. The statement read: “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.”
McLaren also said they have not had to make any changes to their leadership structure to accommodate Lambiase’s impending arrival. As chief racing officer, he will take on some responsibilities that currently fall to team principal Andrea Stella. Lambiase will report directly to the Italian team boss.
Some reports have suggested Lambiase may have been signed as an eventual replacement for Stella, who has been the subject of interest from his former team Ferrari in recent times. However, sourced indicate that McLaren do not expect to lose the Italian any time soon, and the team took the opportunity to address that as a spokesperson confirmed that Stella remains committed to “a long-term contract”.