Overview
- Lambiase’s move was confirmed by both teams Thursday, with Red Bull citing a 2028 exit at contract end and McLaren saying he will arrive no later than 2028.
- Lambiase will stay at Red Bull through 2027 as head of racing and as Verstappen’s race engineer, maintaining their trackside partnership for the next two seasons.
- At McLaren, he will become chief racing officer reporting to team boss Andrea Stella, taking on race‑weekend duties that Stella currently covers.
- Dutch media first broke the story, and multiple outlets report McLaren secured Lambiase with a significantly higher salary described as an astronomical offer.
- The departure adds pressure on Red Bull after other senior exits and heightens questions about Verstappen’s plans as he voices dislike of the 2026 rules and weighs his next steps.