McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes that its high-profile poaching of Gianpiero Lambiase from Red Bull underlines the team’s growing pull in Formula 1.
The Italian is confident that, in attracting Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, the Woking-based squad is showing it is now a destination for “top talent.”
He also described the signing as “the classic icing on a cake that already has all the right ingredients.”
McLaren confirmed last week that Lambiase will join from Red Bull as chief racing officer. He has a start date set for no later than 2028.
He will take on elements of Stella’s current remit once in place.
The Woking-based outfit faced strong competition to secure the 45-year-old. Interest had previously come from Aston Martin for a senior role.
Lambiase has worked alongside Verstappen since 2016 and follows other high-profile departures from Red Bull to McLaren. This includes Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay.
Stella points to McLaren’s recent rise as a key factor.
The team has claimed back-to-back constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025. Lando Norris also delivered the drivers’ title last season, the team’s first since 2008.
An important signing for McLaren
On McLaren’s website, Stella said: “Gianpiero’s arrival will add a great amount of expertise and potential to the team for the long term.
“At the same time, it is further confirmation of how attractive McLaren has become to the best talents in Formula 1.
“This credibility we have gained is the result of the hard work done by all men and women who have worked at McLaren over recent years to build a culture that allows people to grow and contribute to the common goal in a healthy and enjoyable environment.
“On top of McLaren’s results on the track and the team’s ethos perceived in the right way from the outside, I am convinced contributed to Gianpiero deciding to join us.
“Gianpiero’s arrival is the classic icing on a cake that already has all the right ingredients in the first place.”
Lambiase’s appointment will also ease pressure on Stella, who currently combines team principal duties with oversight of race operations.
“For me, he will be a key support, filling the role of chief racing officer, a position I currently hold alongside my role as team principal,” Stella added.
“Together with Zak, we have always worked over the past three years to ensure the continuity over the long term in terms of leadership and expertise.
“This is particularly true for certain key roles like positions in the race team.
“It is above all in this area that the expansion of the calendar has had significant consequences in terms of personal commitment and quality of life.”
A growing organisation
Stella highlighted how F1 has evolved, pointing to larger teams and heavier demands.
“Today’s Formula 1 is very different from when I started my career over 20 years ago.
“The size of a top team has more than doubled; just consider that our workforce has grown by over 20 per cent in numerical terms over the last three years.
“Today, we have reached a size that is compatible with the constraints imposed by the budget cap and functional to the objective to deliver the level of performance required to succeed.
“The role of team principal has also become more complex.”
Stella stressed the importance of structure and support within the organisation.
“Zak and I have built a flat team structure in which it is essential to ensure all leaders are properly empowered, but at the same time we must guarantee there is always the necessary level of long-term support.
“It goes without saying that, with this approach, the dual role I currently hold could not be sustainable in the long run.”
Stella also dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Ferrari.
Reports had suggested Lambiase could eventually replace him, amid claims of interest from the Italian team.
“Honestly, some of the recent rumours, including those regarding astronomical salaries and mythical pre-contracts, have made me smile.
“It almost seems as though the ‘silly season’, which usually begins before summer, has arrived early!
“I’m quite used to this sort of thing by now and I take [it] with a smile.”
If McLaren’s trajectory continues, this may prove to be a statement of long-term dominance in the making.
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