Max Verstappen's race engineer agrees to leave Red Bull for F1 rival

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been dealt a huge blow, as respected race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to leave the team for a rival at the end of 2027.

Lambiase, 45, is currently contracted to Red Bull until 2027 and has reportedly agreed a lucrative multi-million-pound deal with McLaren, despite interest from both Aston Martin and Williams.

The 45-year-old Italian engineer, who was born in London, is one of the most accomplished engineers in F1, having guided Verstappen and Red Bull to four successive Drivers’ Championships between 2021 and 2024.

It remains unclear whether the engineer’s departure may be a catalyst for wider changes within the Woking-based team’s management structure, with Andrea Stella reportedly linked with a potential move to Ferrari.

Lambiase’s switch will not be the first time a member of the Red Bull set-up has moved to McLaren, with British engineer Rob Marshall making the move in 2023, bringing his 17-year tenure at Red Bull to an end.

Will Courtenay also left Red Bull in 2024 before taking up the sporting director position at McLaren.

Gianpiero Lambiase and Max Verstappen (Credit:Getty)

In the same year, Jonathan Wheatley left his role as sporting director at Red Bull before joining Audi, although he has since left that role.

Lambiase is expected to take up a senior position at McLaren, as reported by The Athletic.

The outlet reports that the 45-year-old is a member of Verstappen’s ‘inner circle’, alongside his father Jos and former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko.

Lambiase worked with Daniil Kvyat as a race engineer in 2015 before the driver was replaced by a then-teenage Verstappen. The pair’s careers have run concurrently ever since, resulting in a close relationship.

Following the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen, who finished just two points behind world champion Lando Norris, spoke about his relationship with Lambiase.

“It’s been an emotional year,” the 28-year-old said. “Forget about the results this year. I also don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough. But I’m very happy to be able to work with someone that passionate.

“Of course, he is my race engineer, but I see him as my friend. We have lived through so many emotional things together and fantastic achievements. I’m sure he was a bit emotional after the flag.

“So, I’m really looking forward to leaving here and catching up with him because it’s not been easy at times for him.

“I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone that good. A proper example of someone who never gave up this season, even through the difficult times.”

F1 returns in Miami on 3 May.