Verstappen Calls Blocking Lambiase’s McLaren Move ‘Stupid’

*TL;DR: Max Verstappen says it would be “stupid” to try to block Gianpiero Lambiase’s 2028 move to McLaren, and Red Bull is already planning his replacement.

Context Gianpiero Lambiase, known as “GP,” has been Max Verstappen’s race engineer since Verstappen’s promotion to Red Bull in 2016. The pair helped Red Bull secure two Constructors’ Championships and contributed to Verstappen’s four Drivers’ Championships and 71 race wins. Earlier this month McLaren announced Lambiase will join the team as Chief Racing Officer in 2028.

Key Facts - Verstappen described any attempt to prevent Lambiase’s move as “stupid from my side.” - The Dutch driver emphasized his happiness for Lambiase and noted that Red Bull will continue working with him through the 2024 season. - Verstappen highlighted the rarity of the driver‑engineer chemistry they share, calling it “very rare” in racing. - Red Bull is already scouting internal talent to fill the impending vacancy. - Lambiase’s new role at McLaren positions him as the senior executive overseeing race operations, a step up from his current Head of Racing duties at Red Bull.

What It Means Verstappen’s blunt assessment signals a pragmatic approach: the team will not engage in legal or contractual battles to retain Lambiase. Instead, Red Bull appears focused on succession planning, acknowledging that finding a counterpart with comparable rapport will be challenging. McLaren gains a seasoned engineer with a proven track record of translating driver feedback into performance gains, potentially narrowing the competitive gap with Red Bull.

The departure also underscores the fluid nature of technical talent in Formula 1, where engineers often move between top teams as career opportunities arise. As Red Bull evaluates internal candidates, the next season could see a reshuffle of engineering staff that may affect car development trajectories.

Looking ahead, watch how Red Bull’s replacement strategy unfolds and whether McLaren can leverage Lambiase’s expertise to improve its 2028 performance.