Red Bull: Gianpiero Lambiase's McLaren move is a "once in a lifetime" opportunity

Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has reacted to the “once in a lifetime” opportunity for Gianpiero Lambiase to join McLaren for the 2028 Formula 1 season.

Lambiase is set to become the chief racing officer at the reigning championship-winning outfit, where he will support team principal Andrea Stella in a trackside role.

It will therefore mark an end to his time at Red Bull, having been with the Austrian outfit since 2015 and most notably served as Max Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman joined in 2016.

Together they have won four world titles, alongside two constructors’ championships for Red Bull, while in 2025 Lambiase also adopted the head of racing role following Jonathan Wheatley’s move to Sauber.

Mekies told Sky Sports: “He has had an extraordinary opportunity. We respect the fact that this opportunity comes once in a lifetime.

“As much as it has been news for you guys, it’s something we have been discussing with him for a very long time and we only wish him well in that next phase.

“We will, when the time comes, make sure we turn that into an opportunity for our people and for the skill set we want to have.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Mekies is not the only Red Bull member to have publicly wished the 45-year-old well for his next move, as Verstappen recently said he would have been “stupid not to take it”.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for him, not just in terms of the role but also for his future. You have to think about your family and long-term security as well,” Verstappen, whose own future at Red Bull is under question with his contract expiring in 2028, told Viaplay.

“He told me he wanted to hear it from me, I said ‘100% you should just go for it’. We’ve already achieved everything together and more than once. We’ve won a lot, that won’t change.

“We’re both still young. You never know what happens in the future; maybe we’ll work together again. We’ll be friends for life. Everyone has their own goals and ambitions, you can’t hold someone back. In the end, everybody needs to grow.”

Lambiase will become the third Red Bull staff member to have been poached by McLaren: Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay respectively joined as chief designer and sporting director.