In a major development in the world of F1, Gianpiero Lambiase, the race engineer of four-time world champion Max Verstappen is set to leave Red Bull in favour of a shock move to McLaren, according a report from Sky Sports.
Lambiase, popularly known as 'GP', has served as the only race engineer for Verstappen since he joined Red Bull Racing in 2016. Their synergy has been critical in helping the Dutchman secure four back to back championships from 2021 to 2024.
Verstappen was close to winning his fifth championship in 2025, but lost to Lando Norris by just two points. There were murmurs about GP's future at the end of the 2025 season, with reports stating that he was battling a health emergency in his family. It was later revealed that Lambiase's wife was battling breast cancer.
Despite that, he continued at Red Bull and started the 2026 season, once again serving Verstappen. However, it hasn't been the best of seasons for the Dutchman, who is languishing in mid-table, with the RB22 failing to live up to the likes of Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari. Even competing with Pierre Gasly's Alpine has proven to be a challenge for Verstappen.
The four-time world champion has been critical about the new F1 regulations, which requires 50% battery utilisation as well as 50% internal combustion engine, and has threatened to quit the sport. He has threatened to leave in the past if GP fails to remain as his race engineer, meaning Lambiase's apparent move to McLaren could lead to question marks about Verstappen's future as well.
The report suggests Lambiase is set to join McLaren in 2028 and will become the head of engineering for the Papayas, although the role of current team principal Andrea Stella will be unaffected.
Lambiase had recently rejected an offer from Aston Martin to be their team principal, but it appears McLaren's offer is far more lucrative for the Italian.
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