- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Max Verstappen Loses Key Engineer to McLaren
Gianpiero Lambiase, a crucial part of Verstappen's success, departs Red Bull for a multi-million-pound deal with rival team McLaren.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:14am by Ben Kaplan
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The departure of a key engineer from Red Bull Racing to rival McLaren disrupts the team dynamics and raises questions about the future of Formula One's top contenders.San Francisco TodayMax Verstappen's engineering team is facing a significant shake-up as one of his closest allies, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to leave Red Bull for McLaren. Lambiase, who has been a pivotal part of Verstappen's success, including four world titles, is reportedly joining McLaren for a multi-million-pound deal. This development raises questions about the future of Red Bull's leadership and the potential impact on Verstappen's performance.
Why it matters
The departure of Lambiase is particularly concerning for Verstappen, as he has been a crucial link in the team's success. Their partnership, which began in 2016, has been instrumental in Verstappen's achievements. The loss of such a key figure could disrupt the team's dynamics and strategy, especially with the ongoing speculation about Red Bull's leadership changes.
The details
This isn't the first time Red Bull has faced such a challenge. The team has been dealing with a series of high-profile exits, including the departure of Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and the recent dismissals of Helmut Marko and Jonathan Wheatley. The team's leadership has also been in flux, with Christian Horner replaced by Laurent Mekies. These changes have created a sense of instability within the team, which could impact their performance in the long term.
- Lambiase has been a part of Verstappen's engineering team since 2016.
The players
Max Verstappen
A four-time Formula One world champion who has been the face of Red Bull Racing.
Gianpiero Lambiase
A key engineer who has been a crucial part of Verstappen's success at Red Bull Racing.
McLaren
A rival Formula One team that has poached Lambiase from Red Bull Racing.
Christian Horner
The former team principal of Red Bull Racing, who has been replaced by Laurent Mekies.
Laurent Mekies
The new team principal of Red Bull Racing, replacing Christian Horner.
What’s next
The implications of Lambiase's move are far-reaching. It not only affects Verstappen's immediate performance but also the future direction of both teams. The loss of a key engineer could impact the development of new car designs and strategies, potentially giving McLaren an edge in the upcoming seasons. Meanwhile, Red Bull will need to adapt quickly to fill the void left by Lambiase, ensuring that their dominance in Formula One remains intact.
The takeaway
This development highlights the importance of retaining key personnel in Formula One. The sport is highly competitive, and the loss of a top engineer can have significant consequences. It also underscores the strategic importance of poaching talent from rival teams, as McLaren has demonstrated. As the sport continues to evolve, the ability to maintain a strong and cohesive team will be crucial for success.
