McLaren has confirmed that incoming Director of Racing Gianpiero Lambiase will not replace Andrea Stella as its Formula 1 Team Principal, but will assist the ‘stretched’ Italian in his duties.
Lambiase is a major coup for McLaren, arriving at the team no later than 2028 into a new leadership role.
Speculation grew that Lambiase could end up replacing Team Principal Andrea Stella, who has been linked with a move back to Ferrari after he left the team in 2014.
But Stella has confirmed that it is a leadership position is destined for their star signing.
“What I said before is that McLaren, for us, it’s important to employ the best talents in Formula 1,” Stella said to media, including Motorsport Week.
“Zak and I want to build the strongest team, not only in the present, but I think we have some good references as to strong teams in the past.
“I have been part of the Ferrari team in the early 2000s, and I know what level of seniority, expertise, leadership you need to be successful in the present and in the future.
“And employing GP is part of this vision, which is a vision of creating additive leadership that can integrate with the present leadership and create a stronger and stronger team at McLaren.”
Stella seeking relief from current workload?
Stella revealed that it was he who was the driving force behind the push to secure Lambiase, confirming he is stretched in his current role.
“So, I very strongly wanted GP to join McLaren,” he said.
“I am personally very stretched in my role as team principal, and I need a strong group of leaders working with me.
“The plan is very clear. Any other speculation leads us back to the silly season.”
The coy nature of his Stella’s response indicates that while Lambiase will not replace him, the two will work together closely, setting up an interesting power dynamic at Woking.
McLaren’s nightmare weekend in Canada was in stark contrast to Red Bull, as it walked away empty-handed after a disastrous decision to start the race on intermediate tyres.
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