Gianpiero Lambiase has signed a multi-million-pound contract with McLaren and is set to leave Red Bull at the end of 2027 before joining its Formula One rival, according to reports. The 45-year-old, who serves as head of racing, has accepted what sources described as a very lucrative offer from McLaren.
De Limburger reported that McLaren won the battle for Lambiase ahead of Aston Martin and Williams, while RacingNews365 said McLaren is awaiting him with a multi-million-pound deal. Lambiase has worked with Max Verstappen since May 2016, when Verstappen, then 28 years old, was promoted to the main team, and their partnership has delivered four world titles for the Dutch driver.
The move adds to a pattern of personnel changes between Red Bull and its rivals. McLaren has already recruited Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay from Red Bull, with Courtenay now serving as sporting director, while Adrian Newey has moved to Aston Martin and Helmut Marko and Jonathan Wheatley have also left Red Bull. Former team principal Christian Horner was dismissed and replaced by Laurent Mekies.
Neither Red Bull nor McLaren is commenting publicly on the reported deal. Andrea Stella is also highly regarded in Woking but is internally linked to a possible return to Ferrari, underscoring how the sport’s senior talent remains in motion even as the 2027 deadline for Lambiase’s exit still lies ahead.
