Red Bull confirms exit of Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase

Motorsport photo Red Bull has confirmed that Max Verstappen's long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave at the end of the 2027 Formula 1 campaign - Motorsport. com understands he is set for a McLaren switch. Lambiase has long been the subject of intense interest across the paddock, as the 45-year-old weighed up his options last winter.

Amid links with Aston Martin and Williams , Lambiase ultimately chose to remain in place at Red Bull, where he not only performs the job of Verstappen's race engineer but also a more overarching trackside role as head of racing. But then it emerged on Thursday morning, first reported by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf , that he was set to leave the Austrian outfit at the end of his current contract in 2027. Red Bull has since confirmed that will take place.

Its short statement read: "Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires. “GP” is a valued member of the team, which he joined in 2015. "Until his planned departure, “GP" continues in his roles as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen .

The team and he are fully committed to add more success to our strong track record together. " It is understood that he has agreed a deal to join rival McLaren for the 2028 campaign in a senior trackside role that would support team principal Andrea Stella. The reigning constructors' champion squad has been contacted for a comment.