Gianpiero Lambiase's high-profile switch from Red Bull to McLaren could happen sooner than initially anticipated, according to comments made by McLaren chief Zak Brown. While official statements previously pointed to a 2028 arrival when his existing Red Bull contract expires, new developments suggest papaya fans might see him in the garage much earlier.
McLaren announced earlier this year that Max Verstappen's long-time engineer is slated to take over as the team's chief racing officer, reporting directly to team principal Andrea Stella. "The team looks forward to welcoming Gianpiero Lambiase when his existing contract ends, no later than 2028," the initial joint messaging indicated.
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SubscribeOracle Red Bull Racing previously confirmed the 2028 timeline based on his current deal expiration. However, questions immediately surfaced regarding potential gardening leave and how soon Lambiase would step back from Red Bull operations to safeguard future car development secrets.
Despite speculation regarding extended gardening leave, sources close to the paddock understood that Lambiase would remain a key figure within Verstappen's engineering crew until late in the 2027 season. Zak Brown's recent remarks have further fueled expectations of an earlier transition.
Red Bull Prepares for Life After GP
"I'm optimistic we'll see him in papaya at some point next year," the McLaren CEO told Sky Sports F1, reflecting excitement over the ongoing factory gains and competitive momentum at the team.
Red Bull, meanwhile, has already prepared for the transition by lining up internal successors. Verstappen confirmed that Tom Hart will step up into the race engineer role, while Tom McCullough has been brought in from Aston Martin to serve as the team's new head of racing.
Red Bull has moved swiftly to secure replacements to ensure seamless operations once Lambiase concludes his tenure with the Milton Keynes squad. The team's proactive approach highlights the high stakes involved in retaining technical stability at the top of the grid.
Max Verstappen confirmed to Viaplay that Tom Hart, who has served as his performance engineer since January 2020, will transition into the role of race engineer. This continuity is expected to minimize disruption within the reigning champion's immediate garage environment.