Andrea Stella actually ‘instigated’ McLaren’s move for Gianpiero Lambiase despite exit talk

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Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has revealed that Andrea Stella actually instigated McLaren’s move for Gianpiero Lambiase.

On Thursday morning, it was reported that Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028.

It was also claimed that Stella is expected to leave McLaren and return to Ferrari upon Lambiase’s arrival.

Lambiase, 45, has worked with Max Verstappen since 2016, helping the Dutchman win four consecutive Formula 1 world titles.

Will Max Verstappen keep his word as Gianperio Lambiase leaves Red Bull?

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With Lambiase set to join McLaren, the future of Stella has become a major talking point.

Amid reports that Stella could replace Fred Vasseur as team principal of Ferrari, Sky Sports F1’s Slater has delivered an update on the situation.

READ MORE: Gianpiero Lambiase is ‘putting in a good word’ for Max Verstappen at McLaren ahead of Red Bull exit

Andrea Stella set to stay with McLaren after ‘instigating’ move for Gianpiero Lambiase

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Slater claimed that a senior figure at McLaren has confirmed that Stella is ‘1000%’ staying with the team.

He also stated that Stella ‘partly instigated’ McLaren’s move to bring in Lambiase.

Slater said: “People might be reading as well that Lambiase going to McLaren is a sign that Andrea Stella is leaving as team principal to go to Ferrari.

“Absolute rubbish is the response I’ve had from a senior figure at McLaren, he is 1000% staying as team principal, was involved in the decision making and partly instigated to try and bring Lambiase to McLaren.”

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Craig Slater explains Gianpiero Lambiase’s McLaren role

Slater has indicated that Lambiase is set to join the team to support Stella, allowing the Italian to focus on other aspects of leading McLaren.

He said: “Lambiase will be taking on some of his duties so Stella can focus on other aspects of leadership within McLaren. He is going nowhere, even though he is Italian, even though he used to work at Ferrari.

“I’ve been told that Stella thinks the current situation at McLaren is much more akin to the early 2000s situation he had with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. He is very happy and has voiced no indication that he wants to leave McLaren at all.”

With Lambiase set to swap Red Bull for McLaren, could Verstappen also follow suit?

If the new regulations remain as they currently are, Verstappen could decide to step away from the sport entirely.

However, if changes are made by the FIA and McLaren are able to produce strong performances and present Verstappen with a lucrative project, the Dutchman may well be tempted by the move.