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Former Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that the team have already signed Gianpiero Lambiase’s replacement.
Max Verstappen’s race engineer is set to join McLaren in 2028, taking up a senior role next to team principal Andrea Stella. It was believed that Lambiase would replace the Italian amid links to Maranello, but McLaren have denied that Stella is leaving for Ferrari.
Interestingly, the Prancing Horse remains in the frame when it comes to Lambiase’s replacement, as Marko has claimed that Red Bull have made a signing from Ferrari to succeed him.
Will Max Verstappen keep his word as Gianperio Lambiase leaves Red Bull?
As he waits to join McLaren in 2028, Lambiase will continue his duties as Verstappen’s race engineer and as the Head of Racing at Red Bull. However, with him no longer committed to the team long-term, Alex Brundle says Red Bull need to drop Lambiase by 2027.
He becomes the latest key figure at the Milton Keynes outfit to leave in the past few months. But according to Marko, his replacement is already lined up.
Helmut Marko says Red Bull have signed Gianpiero Lambiase’s replacement ‘from Ferrari’
Speaking to OE24, the Austrian was asked about Red Bull’s struggles in 2024. They have scored just 16 points from the opening three races, leaving them sixth in the standings.
“You feel for the whole team,” he said. “But let’s hope for tradition – that, as in the past, they’ll turn things around this time too.” Asked about his concern about the 2026 engine with Ford, he replied: “Yes, but the engine, which certainly isn’t the best, isn’t the main problem.”
Marko continued: “Saying it’s not working at all is an exaggeration. It worked acceptably at the first race in Melbourne, where we qualified third (thanks to Isack Hadjar, ed.). However, the subsequent developments went in the wrong direction.”
He was then asked what he felt about Lambiase leaving for McLaren, and Marko claims that Red Bull have already signed his successor.
“Successful people are always being poached, and Lambiase was in the public eye because of Max. They’ve brought in a replacement from Ferrari…” he concluded.
READ MORE: All to know about Max Verstappen’s F1 race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase
Max Verstappen could face tough situation without Gianpiero Lambiase
Lambiase’s exit is no doubt another huge blow for Verstappen at Red Bull. He has lost several people around him in the team, but this loss could be the most damaging.
The Dutchman has worked with Lambiase throughout his Red Bull career. The pair’s unique way of working has been hugely successful, winning four consecutive titles together.
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Verstappen told Lambiase to take McLaren’s offer, saying that it was something that was too good to refuse. But now, the 28-year-old is faced with working with a new engineer come 2028, or perhaps even sooner.
Christian Danner has warned Verstappen could ‘bicker’ with his new engineer, just as Lewis Hamilton did with his first Ferrari engineer, Riccardo Adami. It will certainly be a learning curve for both parties.
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