Verstappen's race engineer is set to become the new team principal at McLaren.

      Gianpiero 'GP' Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, is reportedly leaving Red Bull to join McLaren, according to credible sources from the Netherlands and Belgium. De Limburger was the first to report this, indicating that the move aims for Lambiase to "eventually succeed Andrea Stella as team principal." This was further corroborated by De Telegraaf, which states that Lambiase has accepted an "astronomical offer" from McLaren. The respected Dutch publication also notes that Lambiase is under contract with Red Bull until 2027 and is anticipated to make the transition in 2028, pending negotiations over his exit terms.

      At 45, Lambiase has been Verstappen’s race engineer since his ascent to Red Bull in 2016, creating one of the most successful driver-engineer duos in Formula 1 history. This move represents another significant shift from Red Bull to McLaren in recent years, following others like Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay. Neither team has commented on the ongoing reports.

      De Telegraaf also noted that Lambiase had garnered interest from Aston Martin and Williams, but McLaren ultimately secured his signature with a noteworthy financial and career opportunity. He currently serves as head of racing at Red Bull, and his transition to McLaren may position him for a future leadership role, especially as uncertainties surround Andrea Stella, who is rumored to be returning to Ferrari.

      This shift occurs amidst a backdrop of instability at Red Bull, with several senior figures having left in recent seasons. Furthermore, another former Red Bull member, Jonathan Wheatley, is expected to return to Aston Martin later this year. Reports indicate that the recently departed Audi team principal, who is currently on gardening leave after his unexpected exit, may join Aston Martin as team principal following the summer break, while Adrian Newey is set to remain in a diminished leadership position until that time. Additionally, it is reported that Renault CEO Francois Provost has rejected Christian Horner's bid to acquire the 24 percent stake in Alpine held by Otro Capital, due to concerns regarding the potential for Red Bull-style instability.