McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has broken his silence following the securing of the signature of GianPiero Lambiase as its new Formula 1 Chief Racing Officer from 2028.
The news that Lambiase will leave Red Bull once his contract expires to take up a senior leadership position at McLaren in 2028 has sent shockwaves through the paddock.
It marks a major coup for the reigning constructors’ champions, having already secured aerodynamic genius Rob Marshall and former Head of Strategy Will Courtenay.
Lambiase’s duties are yet to be made public, but he will report into current Team Principal Andrea Stella, who has been linked with a switch to Ferrari.
Brown has now given his first public reaction to the news, excited by what the new partnership will bring to McLaren.
“Happy to share that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal Andrea Stella, when his contract ends no later than 2028,” he wrote on X.
“He joins an incredible team under Andrea’s leadership and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
Red Bull statement in stark contrast in tone to McLaren’s
In a statement, Red Bull outlined Lambiase’s departure, but did not give a date when he would be released to join McLaren.
“Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that GianPiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires,” it read.
“GP is a valued member of the team, which he joined in 2015.
“Until his planned departure, GP continues in his roles as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen.
“The team and he are fully committed to adding more success to our strong track record together.”
Zak Brown is establishing himself as a disruptor in the paddock, swooping in for Red Bull leadership, much in the same way that Christian Horner did to Mercedes prior to the start of the ground effect era.
Lambiase’s arrival at McLaren truly marks the end of an era for Red Bull.
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