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Gianpiero Lambiase will be joining McLaren in 2028, which, as David Coulthard notes, presents an ‘awkward scenario’ for Red Bull.
Max Verstappen’s race engineer has agreed to join the Woking outfit from 2028. He is the latest key Red Bull figure to leave the team and will reunite with Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall at McLaren.
It is a huge coup for the defending champions, with Lambiase’s move even being compared to Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari. But it is another damaging blow for Red Bull, and it will be a difficult situation as the engineer transitions to McLaren.
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Naturally, with the move not going through until after next season, Lambiase will likely have to complete an extended period of gardening leave.
However, it is believed that Lambiase could leave Red Bull at the end of 2026. That is something that McLaren will be hoping for, according to Coulthard, and perhaps their Milton Keynes outfit, as the Brit could pass on their secrets.
David Coulthard warns Gianpiero Lambiase could spill Red Bull secrets to McLaren if he stays with the team until 2028
Alex Brundle says Red Bull must replace Lambiase by 2027 as he is no longer committed to the project long term. He could share data with McLaren, and Coulthard has made a similar point.
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, the former Red Bull driver has warned the team of an ‘awkward scenario’ if Lambiase stays on board until he joins McLaren.
“I just throw open another thought as we sort of contemplate the fact that GP will be moving on. He’s still got a contract with Red Bull. We expect him to still continue in that contract.
“But of course, one of the tricky moments for Red Bull is, he can’t walk out of the factory with a laptop with all the data at the end of the year, but what’s in your mind, you’re allowed to take with you.
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“So, there’ll be a point where they’re going to want to say, ‘Look, you can’t really be working on this car, or you certainly can’t be across any of the discussions about developments going into 2027 and beyond.’ So, that becomes an awkward scenario.
“So it just starts to erode the relationship and make it a little bit of a compromise. So what McLaren, I’m sure, would be hoping is that Red Bull would release GP early from his contract, release the obligation to pay his salary and allow him to join McLaren early.
“But on the other side, why would they want to do anything that gives your competitors an advantage?”
READ MORE: All to know about Max Verstappen’s F1 race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase
Will Buxton does not think Gianpiero Lambiase will be at Red Bull in 2027
Co-host Will Buxton is adamant that Lambiase will leave Red Bull by 2027. He thinks the statements from the two teams left open the idea of leaving early.
“I do not believe we will see GP at Red Bull Racing in 2027,” he said. “And I think that the announcements were worded very delicately and very precisely by both McLaren and Red Bull that leaves an opportunity for an early exit.”
Lambiase will prove to be a strong addition to what is already a brilliant core of leaders at McLaren. Rumours are suggesting this is part of a restructuring at the Woking squad.
Lambiase’s arrival could see Zak Brown take on a new role, with the former taking over Andrea Stella’s role as team principal. It was reported that the Italian would be joining Ferrari, but now, he could potentially take Brown’s role of CEO, with the American becoming chairman.
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