Max Verstappen reveals key question Gianpiero Lambiase asked before McLaren move

April 17, 2026 Oliver Obel

Max Verstappen has revealed he played a direct role in Gianpiero Lambiase’s decision to leave Red Bull, encouraging his long-time race engineer to accept a major offer from McLaren.

Lambiase, who has worked with Verstappen since 2016, is set to take on the role of Chief Racing Officer at McLaren no later than 2028, as first reported by SportBible, marking a significant leadership shift between two of Formula 1’s top teams.

Speaking in an interview with Viaplay, Verstappen explained that Lambiase approached him before finalising the move, seeking his opinion on the opportunity.

“He told me what kind of offer he'd received,” Verstappen said. “I said, ‘You'd be daft not to take it’.”

Rather than trying to persuade him to stay, the reigning world champion said he focused on the long-term benefits for his colleague, particularly away from the track.

Verstappen indicated that, given what they had already achieved together, the decision was an easy one to support. He pointed to the stability the new role could offer Lambiase and his family, adding that his engineer “absolutely had to go for it.”

The pair have been central to Red Bull’s success over the past decade, combining for four consecutive drivers’ titles between 2021 and 2024. Lambiase also stepped into a broader leadership position within the team in 2024, balancing management responsibilities with his role on Verstappen’s side of the garage.

The move comes at a time of wider change in Formula 1, with new regulations arriving in 2026 and teams already planning for the long term. Verstappen himself has recently hinted, in comments reported by BBC Radio 5 Live, that those upcoming changes could influence how long he remains in the sport.

Lambiase’s departure will not be immediate, however. Red Bull are expected to retain him for at least another season, giving the team time to adjust to a reshaped structure.

Verstappen’s father, Jos, confirmed to RaceXpress that discussions around the move had been ongoing for some time and that those close to the team supported the decision.

“We knew for a while and we also knew when it was going to happen,” he said, adding that it represents “a huge opportunity.”

While the split will eventually bring an end to one of the most successful driver–engineer partnerships in recent F1 history, Verstappen’s comments suggest it will happen with mutual respect—and his full backing.

Sources: SportBible, Viaplay, BBC Radio 5 Live, RaceXpress