Max Verstappen has already explained why losing Gianpiero Lambiase would hurt him so much

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Max Verstappen is set to receive his most devastating blow at Red Bull yet, as race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase looks to be leaving for McLaren.

This break-up has been on the cards for months, as Lambiase has been linked with a move away from Milton Keynes several times. In 2025, he was targeted by Aston Martin and Williams when it was reported that he would be stepping away as Verstappen’s engineer.

The Brit stayed put for 2026, with Lambiase turning down Adrian Newey to replace him as Aston Martin team principal. However, on Thursday, it was reported that Red Bull’s Head of Racing has had a sudden change of heart.

GP is joining McLaren! What does this mean for Verstappen and Red Bull?

The news comes from Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf

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Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028, with rumours suggesting that he could replace Andrea Stella as team principal. The Italian is being linked with a move back to Ferrari.

The 2027 season, therefore, will mark the end of one of F1’s closest, and perhaps notorious, relationships. Verstappen has worked with Lambiase since he joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso in 2016, and the pair have won four championships together.

They have an interesting dynamic, with several examples of them clashing and arguing over the radio. But amid all the clear tension, Verstappen and Lambiase are incredibly close, which makes this news all the more devastating.

Max Verstappen’s ‘very honest’ and close relationship with Gianpiero Lambiase makes his McLaren move a huge blow

Back in 2021, the year Verstappen clinched his maiden F1 title, the Dutchman described, via RacingNews365, how he very quickly irons out the problems with Lambiase and finds a solution after they do have a spat over the radio.

“GP and I now have been working together for a few years,” he said. “We have a very good and honest relationship, I think.

“He really understands what I need from the car, and also how I can feed back things to him. Of course, we have moments where we don’t agree. But I think that’s also wanted, because at the end of the day, you want to make each other better, and you want to make the car faster.

“It’s good to be able to have discussions and come [up] with the best solution for it. We [are] also very honest to each other, like I am to Helmut and Christian. And I think that makes it so good.”

Verstappen and Lambiase have their own unique way of working, and it has proved to be a monumental success. Breaking this up would be horrendous for the four-time champion and something that he would not accept.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Is Gianpiero Lambiase’s exit the final straw for Max Verstappen’s F1 career?

Verstappen said he would find it hard to accept not working with Lambiase, and, likewise, the race engineer has previously said he would not want to work with another driver. But come 2028, they will go their separate ways.

Lambiase becomes the latest in a concerningly long list of key figures to have left Red Bull in the last two years. He will reunite with Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay at McLaren, with Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko and Jonathan Wheatley also having left.

With his closest ally now leaving, it will fuel speculation that Verstappen could be next. He has already spoken out against the 2026 F1 regulations, and with Red Bull in crisis, it could be the final straw.

F1 fans think Verstappen will retire with Lambiase leaving the team. It may even be plausible to think that the Brit could bring his driver with him to McLaren.