Last Updated on April 21 2026, 10:14 am
Verstappen reveals that McLaren convinced Lambiase to switch with ‘a lot of money’ – Red Bull Racing is set to lose another pivotal figure in the coming years, with Gianpiero Lambiase expected to leave the team by the end of the 2027 season at the latest. The race engineer, who has been closely associated with Max Verstappen’s success, is set to join McLaren, where he will take on a significantly expanded leadership role.
While McLaren has framed the move as being driven by sporting ambition and long-term prospects, this narrative has been challenged, most notably by the Verstappen camp. According to Jos Verstappen, in response to a social media post on an X from Dutch publication Formule.nl, the explanation is far more straightforward: money played the decisive role.
McLaren has confirmed that Lambiase will be promoted to Chief Racing Officer upon arrival in Woking, a position that includes ‘overall team management’. While the exact scope of his responsibilities has yet to be detailed, it is clear that he will have more influence than he did at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes base. This represents a significant step up the managerial ladder, positioning him at the heart of McLaren’s future direction.
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Money talks louder than sporting ambition
McLaren’s official explanation, led by team principal Andrea Stella, emphasised the team’s competitive trajectory and long-term vision as key factors in attracting Lambiase. However, Jos Verstappen publicly dismissed this reasoning when responding to the announcement on social media.
When asked why Lambiase would make the switch, Jos offered a blunt assessment: “Because they’re offering him a lot of money.”
This directly contradicts McLaren’s portrayal of the move as being driven primarily by sporting motivations and instead frames it as a financial decision that was simply too good to turn down.
This view appears to align closely with Max Verstappen’s own comments on the situation. The reigning world champion revealed that Lambiase had personally discussed the offer with him before making a final decision, and that the figures involved left little room for hesitation.
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Verstappen: Lambiase had to accept the offer
Verstappen did not attempt to disguise the scale of the proposal made by McLaren.
“He told me what kind of offer he’d received,” Verstappen explained. “I told him, ‘You’d be stupid not to accept it.’”
Verstappen described the deal as “fantastic” and suggested that the financial package alone would secure Lambiase’s future long after his time in Formula 1. ‘Thanks to that offer, he’s more or less set for life,’ he added, emphasising just how lucrative the move is believed to be.
The Dutchman also revealed that Lambiase had sought his approval before committing to the switch. ‘He asked for my approval, so to speak, and I told him that he absolutely should do it. He really wanted to hear that from me,’ Verstappen said. Despite the impending separation, he made it clear that there would be no animosity between them, emphasising the strength of their working relationship and mutual respect.
A strategic move for McLaren’s future?
Beyond the immediate impact of Lambiase’s departure from Red Bull, the move has sparked further speculation about McLaren’s long-term plans. One persistent rumour reported by TJ13 some weeks ago suggests that Andrea Stella himself could be linked with a future switch to Ferrari, although the Italian has firmly denied such claims.
Nevertheless, reports in the British media suggest that McLaren’s pursuit of Lambiase may have been motivated by more than just strengthening its engineering structure. There is a growing belief that the team could be positioning Lambiase as a potential successor to Stella, effectively grooming him for a future role as team principal.
If this is the case, Lambiase’s move would represent a strategic investment in leadership continuity, as well as a high-profile recruitment. His extensive experience at Red Bull, coupled with his close working relationship with one of the sport’s most successful drivers, positions him as a promising candidate to influence McLaren’s competitive future.
Meanwhile, for Red Bull, the loss highlights a broader challenge: retaining key personnel in an increasingly competitive and financially aggressive Formula 1 landscape.
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The internal turmoil at the Alpine F1 Team has begun to extend far beyond basic questions of ownership. What began as a disagreement over the sale of a 24% stake has evolved into a wider conflict that could transform the team’s sporting strategy.
At the heart of the matter lies a dispute between Renault and the investment firm Otro Capital. This disagreement has created a tense internal environment at a time when stability is crucial, especially as Alpine seeks to gain momentum on the track.
As ownership uncertainty bleeds into decision-making, the consequences may extend well beyond the boardroom.
The 24% stake at the heart of the conflict
The origins of the dispute lie in Alpine’s rapid valuation increase. When Otro Capital invested in 2023, the team was valued at around $900 million. Since then, the commercial boom of Formula 1, combined with Alpine’s improving competitiveness, has significantly increased that figure.
Now, the American fund is seeking to sell its 24% stake under more favourable conditions. However, Renault, which still holds a decisive contractual advantage, has resisted this plan.
Under the terms of their agreement, Renault has the right to veto any sale of the minority stake until 13 September 2026. This means that, for now, no transaction can be completed without the majority shareholder’s approval.
This has effectively stalled negotiations and intensified tensions between the…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
Stanton is a London-based journalist specialising in sports business and sponsorship. With a degree in economics and years reporting for business-focused publications, Stanton translates F1’s complex financial world into clear, compelling narratives.
