McLaren has triggered fresh speculation over a potential future move for Max Verstappen after securing the services of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull when his current contract expires and join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer, with the move expected to happen no later than 2028. His arrival has naturally fueled questions about whether the close Verstappen-Lambiase partnership could eventually be reunited at Woking.
Lambiase has worked alongside Verstappen since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016, helping him through all four of his Drivers’ Championship successes between 2021 and 2024. Their radio exchanges and long-standing relationship have become one of the most recognizable partnerships in modern Formula 1. Lambiase’s new position at McLaren will be broader than his current role, with the Chief Racing Officer expected to oversee the race side of the operation while reporting to team principal Andrea Stella.
Zak Brown has been asked directly about the possibility of Verstappen following Lambiase to McLaren, but the McLaren CEO has stressed that he is happy with his existing driver pairing. Brown said Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both contributed to the team’s success and that McLaren currently has no intention of changing its line-up. At the same time, Brown acknowledged Verstappen’s exceptional ability, saying that if a future vacancy were to arise, the four-time world champion would naturally be a driver worth considering.
The speculation has gained additional attention because Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has been discussed repeatedly during 2026. Although he has a contract running through the end of 2028, reports have highlighted performance-related provisions that could potentially influence his future. That does not mean a move to McLaren is agreed or imminent, however, and there has been no official announcement linking Verstappen to a future McLaren seat. The current situation is therefore better understood as speculation surrounding two separate developments: Lambiase’s confirmed move and questions about Verstappen’s longer-term plans.
For McLaren, Lambiase’s recruitment is significant regardless of whether Verstappen ever follows him. The team has already strengthened its senior structure by attracting experienced personnel from rival Red Bull, including Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, and Lambiase represents another high-profile addition. His arrival could strengthen McLaren’s race operations and add further experience to an organization competing at the front of Formula 1. Whether that eventually creates an opportunity for a reunion with Verstappen remains unknown, but the connection between the champion driver, his trusted engineer and McLaren has given the F1 paddock another major storyline to watch through 2028.
