– Gianpiero Lambiase, the long-time race engineer of Max Verstappen, will work as Chief Racing Officer for McLaren starting in 2028. His soon-to-be former protégé fully supports this plan, as he recently explained at a Viaplay event in Amsterdam.
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“We talked about it, and when he told me what an opportunity this was for him, I said: You would be stupid not to take this chance,” he said. At McLaren, Lambiase can take the next step on the career ladder and also make a name for himself off the pit wall. Some even see him as a successor to Andrea Stella, the current team principal at McLaren.
Verstappen and Lambiase know each other inside and out. They have been working together since the Red Bull debut of the four-time world champion in 2016. The sometimes sharp radio messages are very popular with fans and paint the picture of a very close, albeit sometimes somewhat tense friendship. It is no coincidence that Helmut Marko once called the two an “old married couple.”
Seeking advice from the four-time champion
Despite this immensely successful collaboration, Max Verstappen advised his long-time companion to take the step towards McLaren: “For him, this is an incredible opportunity, not only because of the position itself but also for his future,” said Verstappen. “You have to think about your family and long-term security.”
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Furthermore, the four-time champion and endurance enthusiast revealed that Lambiase explicitly asked him for confirmation before making this decision. “He told me he wanted to hear that from me,” said Verstappen. “I said: ‘100 percent, you should just do it.'”
“We have already achieved everything together, and more than once. We have won a lot. That will not change.”
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The future of the old married couple
Lambiase’s departure does not mean that the two could not work together and celebrate successes again in the future. After all, rumors about Max Verstappen’s future are already swirling.
While the RB22 does not seem to be a top car, the flagship of the Red Bull brand often complains about the current Formula 1 regulations.
“We are both still young. You never know what will happen in the future – maybe we will work together again.” Verstappen will turn 29 this September. Lambiase, at 45 years old, is somewhat older but, like his companion, is not considered old in the paddock.
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Finally, Verstappen emphasizes how close their relationship has become over the years: “We will be friends for life. Everyone has their goals and wishes. You can’t stop anyone – in the end, everyone has to grow. Everyone has their own goals in life.”
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