A significant “war of words” has erupted in the Formula 1 paddock, as Red Bull and McLaren appear to be reading from entirely different scripts regarding the future of Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. While both teams have confirmed the move to Woking, a stark difference of opinion has emerged concerning exactly what role “GP” will hold when he arrives.
Last month, Red Bull Racing officially announced that Lambiase would be vacating his dual role as Head of Race Engineering and Verstappen’s trackside confidant. McLaren followed up by stating he would join the team as Chief Racing Officer “no later than 2028.”
According to McLaren, this role is an existing part of their corporate structure, currently being managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his duties as Team Principal. However, during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies threw a wrench into that narrative during an interview with Sky Sports F1.
McLaren “Team Principal” claims Mekies
“GP had an extraordinary opportunity,” Mekies stated. “You know, he is going to be a Team Principal there. It’s not something that I can do anything else than wishing him well.”
When asked to clarify if he meant a secondary leadership role, Red Bull insiders confirmed that Mekies’ understanding is literal: Lambiase is being recruited to eventually lead the McLaren team.
The assertion by Mekies has raised immediate questions regarding the job security of Andrea Stella. Since taking the helm in 2023, the 55-year-old Italian has led McLaren on a meteoric upward trajectory, transforming them from backmarkers to consistent podium contenders.
Stella, who joined from Ferrari in 2015, is currently on a long-term contract. He recently dismissed rumours of a return to his homeland to head up Ferrari, comparing the paddock gossip to “poisoned biscuits.”
McLaren angry response to Red Bull boss
“It almost looks like some envious pastry chef has tried to spoil the preparation of a good dessert at the McLaren patisserie,” Stella remarked on the team’s website. “I’m quite used to this sort of thing by now and I take it with a smile.”
Despite Stella’s dismissal, Mekies’ comments suggest a succession plan or a structural shift that McLaren CEO Zak Brown flatly denies. Brown was seen entering the Red Bull hospitality suite on race day to confront Mekies about the claims. Afterward, Brown was characteristically blunt: “He [Mekies] knows something I don’t, apparently. I’ve got a Team Principal, and I’ve got a great one. I couldn’t be happier than I am with Andrea.”
Beyond the title dispute, Red Bull faces a more immediate crisis: replacing the man who shares a “brotherly” bond with their star driver. Max Verstappen has been vocal about the rarity of his chemistry with Lambiase, noting that finding a similar “gel” with a new engineer will be an immense challenge.
Handbags at dawn resolved
Mekies, however, insists that Red Bull is not in a defensive crouch despite losing several high-profile figures—including Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley—over the last few seasons.
-
The Talent Pipeline: Mekies emphasises that Red Bull is focusing on creating an environment to “attract, develop, and retain” the best talent, citing Ben Hodgkinson (Power Units) and Pierre Waché (Chassis) as the foundation of the post-Newey era.
-
The Gardening Leave Battle: While Red Bull insists Lambiase will see out his contract through the end of 2027, McLaren is reportedly in ongoing negotiations to secure an earlier release to help build their 2026/2027 campaigns.
While Mekies and Brown have since attempted to downplay the tension—Mekies noted they “had a good chat and moved on”—the discrepancy remains a fascinating subplot. Whether Mekies was engaging in a bit of psychological “silly season” warfare or truly revealed a secret McLaren succession plan remains to be seen. For now, the only certainty is that Gianpiero Lambiase is the most sought-after signature in the pit lane.
Verstappen for now loyal to Red Bull
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has said little more on his Formula One future; his intense dislike for the all-new 2026 regulations is well documented. In terms of whether he believes Red Bull is suffering a brain drain, the quadruple world champion’s comments are more nuanced.
He has, for now, remained loyal to Red Bull Racing despite a very public chase for his signature in 2025 by Toto Wolff of Mercedes. The Dutch driver has noted that as long as “the right people are in the right places,” he can continue to enjoy his work. Conversely, if the team’s performance or internal environment shifts, Verstappen has not ruled out a move to another F1 team as a final challenge before retiring to pursue other racing interests.
“I have a contract until 2028. I’ll be 31 then. That’s still very young, but I’ve been in F1 since I was 17. It’s a long time. If I’m not enjoying it anymore, I’m not going to stay just to fill up the numbers or win more races. I want to do other things,” said the Dutch racer earlier this year.
Then there is the knotty issue that Lambiase will leave Red Bull a season before Verstappen’s contract expires. There’s no one who can really step into the breach, given the depth of the relationship between the Red Bull driver and his engineer.
Verstappen backs a big future for his engineer
However, if Verstappen is to continue racing in other forms of motorsport, he will need to recruit a new voice in his ear. When asked about this particular challenge, Verstappen appeared to have no clear plan. “That’s something that I’ll have to try and find again. It’s not that easy, but sometimes, of course, that happens. You have to be open to it, but I know it’s going to be tough.”
Back in 2023, Max addressed the issue of losing his most trusted F1 ally. “I’ve said it many times: GP and I are like an old married couple. We yell at each other, we have our arguments, but we also have an incredible amount of respect. If he were to leave, I think it would definitely be a big hit to my performance, at least initially, because you have to rebuild that trust from zero.”
Clearly, Max is now a four-time F1 champion and part of an elite group of racing drivers. He also believes Lambiase is getting some kind of huge promotion, as suggested by his reflection on the end of the partnership.
“It’s a shame, of course. You want to keep the winning team together. But I also understand that people want new challenges. For me, it’s about making sure that whoever comes in understands how I work. I’m not the easiest person to talk to when I’m in the car—I’m very demanding.”
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
