Zak Brown says Red Bull stance on Gianpiero Lambiase’s McLaren move can make things ‘uncomfortable’

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown has claimed that Red Bull’s stance on Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure could make things ‘uncomfortable’. 

Last month, during Formula 1’s April break, it was announced that Lambiase would be leaving Red Bull for McLaren in 2028.

According to McLaren’s official statement, Lambiase will take on the role of Chief Racing Officer and will report to team principal Andrea Stella.

With Lambiase’s exit confirmed, questions have been raised over whether Red Bull should think about cutting ties earlier, in order to prevent the 45-year-old from gaining important information about future projects.

However, speaking this week, Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies stated that Lambiase will only leave the team when his contract is finished.

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Zak Brown says Gianpiero Lambiase staying at Red Bull could make things ‘uncomfortable’

On Friday, McLaren CEO Brown was asked about Lambiase’s move and whether he could join the team earlier than anticipated.

Brown stated that at some point, things could become ‘uncomfortable’ at Red Bull if Lambiase sticks around, especially with the team looking to plan for the future.

The American made a comparison to when Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed, stating that Mercedes started to ‘cut off’ Hamilton’s knowledge.

Brown said on Sky Sports: “We know how this game works. At some point, it will probably be uncomfortable having someone who you know is going to a rival team. I know my general view is that if someone wants to move on, you need to do it in a measured way, 

“But if someone doesn’t want to be in my team anymore. I’ve never been one who feels like people steal from each other like drivers, sponsors.

“You lose them, or they have interest in something else. So, 2028 is when his contract is through; we’ll wait if that’s what’s necessary.”

He continued: “If there’s something to be done earlier, we are of course interested in that. But for now, we are still stuck in 2026. 

“It just makes things uncomfortable, right? If I had someone in my racing team that I knew was going, whether it was a driver or someone else… You see that more often with drivers, Lewis went to Ferrari, announced it early.

“At some point, Mercedes starts cutting off knowledge that he might have. That’s just how it works, so we have to see how it goes. We have time, we’ll talk about it when the time is right.”

READ MORE: Ted Kravitz says Red Bull should sign former Charles Leclerc ally to replace Gianpiero Lambiase

Zak Brown and Laurent Mekies disagree over Gianpiero Lambiase’s role at McLaren

Also speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, Mekies hinted that Lambiase could end up being the McLaren team principal.

The Frenchman said: “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.”

However, Brown was quick to disagree with Mekies, he said: “He knows something I don’t, apparently.

“I’ve got one (a team principal), and I’ve got a great one. I got the best one in the pit lane in Andrea Stella. I couldn’t be happier than (I am with) Andrea.”