Former Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde has suggested that Max Verstappen could depart Red Bull Racing before his longtime race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase joins McLaren as Chief Racing Officer in 2028. This perspective comes amid ongoing speculation about Verstappen’s future with the team he has driven for since 2016, having secured four consecutive World Drivers’ Championships from 2021 to 2024.
Van der Garde, who competed in Formula One during the 2013 season, shared his view in an interview with F1online.sk, stating that Verstappen’s potential exit from Red Bull might precede Lambiase’s scheduled move to McLaren. The Dutch driver’s contract with Red Bull is understood to run through the 2025 season, although specific terms beyond that have not been publicly disclosed by the team or the driver’s representatives.
Lambiase, who has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the driver’s promotion to Red Bull from Toro Rosso in 2016, is confirmed to be leaving the Milton Keynes-based team when his current contract expires in 2028. According to an official statement from Red Bull Racing released in April 2026, Lambiase will depart to assume the role of Chief Racing Officer at McLaren, a position he will take up after his tenure with Red Bull concludes.
The engineer’s long-standing partnership with Verstappen has been a defining feature of the Dutchman’s successful tenure at Red Bull, contributing to their four world championships together. Lambiase began his Formula One career as a data engineer for the Jordan team in 2005 before transitioning to race engineering roles with Force India and eventually joining Red Bull in 2015. His dual role as Head of Racing and race engineer for Verstappen has been integral to the team’s operations in recent years.
While van der Garde’s suggestion introduces a potential timeline shift in the driver-engineer dynamic, no official indication has been provided by Red Bull, McLaren, or Verstappen’s representatives regarding an earlier departure for the four-time world champion. The driver remains under contract with Red Bull for the 2025 season, with his current agreement set to conclude after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As of the 2026 season, Verstappen competes under car number three, having previously used number one during his championship-winning years from 2022 to 2025. His career statistics include 71 race victories, 127 podium finishes, and 3,456.5 career points across 236 Grand Prix entries since his debut in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. The most recent victory came at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with his latest participation recorded at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.
McLaren’s interest in securing Lambiase’s expertise has been reported by multiple sources, with the Woking-based team confirming his appointment as Chief Racing Officer effective from 2028. This move is part of McLaren’s broader strategy to strengthen its racing operations ahead of future regulatory changes in Formula One.
The potential separation of Verstappen and Lambiase, whether occurring concurrently or with the driver departing first, represents a significant development in the driver-market landscape of Formula One. Both Red Bull and McLaren have declined to comment further on the specifics of contract negotiations or future personnel plans beyond the confirmed timelines.
For continued updates on driver contracts, team personnel movements, and the evolving competitive landscape of Formula One, fans are encouraged to follow official announcements from the FIA, individual teams, and verified motorsport journalism outlets.
What are your thoughts on the potential timeline of Verstappen’s future with Red Bull versus Lambiase’s move to McLaren? Share your perspective in the comments below and join the conversation on social media using #F1DriverMarket.
