Max Verstappen reveals when Gianpiero Lambiase will stop being his race engineer before McLaren move

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Max Verstappen has revealed when Gianpiero Lambiase will stop being his race engineer before his McLaren move.

Back in April, the Formula 1 paddock was stunned by the confirmation that Lambiase will leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028.

The 45-year-old, who has worked as Verstappen’s race engineer, will become McLaren’s Chief Racing Officer.

With Lambiase’s exit confirmed, questions have been raised over whether Red Bull should think about cutting ties earlier in order to prevent him from gaining important information about future projects.

Max Verstappen reveals when Gianpiero Lambiase will stop being his race engineer

Speaking during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen was quizzed on when he would start working with a new race engineer.

In response, the Dutchman stated that he already has ‘ideas’ on whom he wants as Lambiase’s replacement. 

He also claimed that things will start to change ‘slowly’ towards the end of the year.

As reported by RacingNews365 NL, Verstappen said to Viaplay: “That will happen step by step. I do have ideas about who I want. That is someone walking around in the team as well, so it will just happen gradually. 

“But not right now. I think it is still a bit too early for that. Of course, it is logical that at some point, somewhere towards the end of the year, that will slowly change.”

When asked when Lambiase will have less access to important Red Bull data, Verstappen replied: “At some point, naturally, less information will be shared. I think he understands that himself.” 

Rank each of McLaren’s recent hires from Red Bull out of 10 after signing Gianpiero Lambiase

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Although McLaren have stated that Lambiase will be their Chief Racing Officer, Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies thinks otherwise.

Speaking recently, the Frenchman stated that Lambiase will in fact go to McLaren and be their team principal, a role currently occupied by Andrea Stella.

As per Sky Sports, Mekies said: “We don’t want to be defensive about it. We have lost quite a few key people in the last four, five years, it is very true.

“We take it very seriously and everything we do is to try to make sure that we have the best environment to attract, to develop and to retain our people. I’m confident it’s an area we will succeed in.

“Is it going to be a linear way to it with nobody leaving anymore? No. GP (Lambiase) had an extraordinary opportunity.

“You know, he is going to be a team principal there. It’s not something that I can do anything else than wishing him well.”