McLaren eyes early Lambiase arrival
McLaren is accelerating efforts to secure an early release for Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, who has agreed to join as chief racing officer no later than 2028. A conspicuous paddock meeting at the Madring has drawn attention to the ongoing discussions with Red Bull.
McLaren accelerates efforts at Madring
McLaren is accelerating efforts to secure an early release for Red Bull's Gianpiero Lambiase ahead of his planned move as chief racing officer.[1] Lambiase, Red Bull's head of racing and long-time race engineer to Max Verstappen, has a contract that runs until the end of 2027, meaning McLaren would otherwise wait until 2028 without an agreement.[1]
The British team has held discussions with Red Bull over recent months on a compromise. No deal has been reached yet, but McLaren has stepped up its push during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.[1]
Public meeting draws attention
Lambiase and McLaren CEO Zak Brown met at a conspicuous cafe table in the Madring paddock on Saturday morning, a spot easily captured by cameras and photographers.[1] McLaren has already appointed Aston Martin's Tom McCullough as head of racing from next year and Tom Hart to take over Verstappen's race engineering duties.[1]
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has previously noted that an earlier arrival remains possible if Red Bull agrees, while stating the team will respect the contract if necessary.[2]
Related reading
- [1]What's behind McLaren's brazen public meeting with Lambiase (the-race). Accessed 2026-09-13.
- [2]Brown reflects on McLaren recruiting 'huge talent' Lambiase and whether switch could happen earlier from Red Bull (formula1). Accessed 2026-09-13.