Gianpiero Lambiase to depart Red Bull and join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer from 2028

Lambiase will arrive no later than 2028, once his current Red Bull contract concludes, in a move that strengthens McLaren’s senior operational structure as the team targets sustained championship success.

The Italian will report directly to fellow countryman, Team Principal Andrea Stella and take over leadership of the race team, a responsibility currently held by Stella alongside his principal duties.

The Chief Racing Officer role already exists within McLaren’s framework, overseeing trackside operations and performance execution, but this appointment marks a clear step in expanding the team’s leadership bandwidth.

Lambiase’s arrival is positioned as part of a wider strategy to build depth at the top level, allowing Stella to focus more fully on overarching team direction while maintaining operational strength at the circuit.

The move also reinforces McLaren’s aggressive recruitment drive, following the high-profile additions of Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay from Red Bull in recent seasons.

McLaren framed the appointment as further evidence of its long-term commitment to becoming a consistent championship-winning force, under the leadership of Stella and CEO Zak Brown.

The ability to attract a figure of Lambiase’s calibre, given his central role in Red Bull’s recent dominance, highlights the team’s growing pull within the paddock.

His integration is expected to align with McLaren’s evolving structure heading into the next regulatory cycle, ensuring continuity and stability at a senior operational level.

For Lambiase, the move represents a significant career shift away from Red Bull, where he has been a defining presence on Verstappen’s radio, towards a broader leadership role within one of Formula 1’s resurgent teams.

With his arrival now confirmed, attention will turn to how McLaren continues to reshape its leadership group as it builds towards a sustained title challenge into the next decade.

Red Bull released the following short statement ahead of the McLaren announcement: "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."