Have you made an explosive personnel decision? Gianpiero Lambiase will apparently remain with the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team and Max Verstappen will be the race engineer.
The 45-year-old Brit has decided against offers from other teams and to stay with Red Bull, reports “Autosport” – at least for the moment.
Lambiase’s decision initially only applies to the 2026 Formula 1 season. In the longer term, it is said that a switch to the competition is still possible.
Lambiase’s contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2027. Aston Martin and Williams, among others, are said to have tried to sign the renowned engineer.
There were also rumors that Lambiase would take on a different role at Red Bull in the future and that Verstappen would no longer have one of his closest confidants as close to him as before. At the moment, however, this appears to be no longer an issue.
These speculations were also triggered by the fact that Lambiase was not in the command post at the races in Austria and Belgium in the past Formula 1 season for personal reasons. At that time he was represented by Simon Rennie.
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Formula 1: Ex-Red Bull strategist finally joins McLaren
The Lambiase news leaked one day after confirmation of ex-Red Bull strategy chief Will Courtenay’s move to Formula 1 competition. He joins McLaren.
His move had already been confirmed since September 2024. However, Red Bull refused to allow him to switch early. The Brit will take up the position of sports director at McLaren in the future.
“After 22 years at Red Bull Racing, the last 15 of which as head of racing strategy, I am pleased to say that I am now starting a new challenge and moving to McLaren as sporting director,” said Courtenay.
He then thanked Red Bull for their extremely successful collaboration over the last few years: “I made so many great friends there and hope to see many of them again in the paddock. It’s been an incredible two decades.”