Brown raises prospect of earlier McLaren arrival for Lambiase
Zak Brown says he is optimistic Gianpiero Lambiase could join McLaren in 2027, though the team has not confirmed a change to its previously stated timing.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has raised the possibility that Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase could join the team in 2027. Brown told Sky Sports he was “optimistic” Lambiase would be in McLaren’s papaya colours at some point next year.
That would be earlier than McLaren’s April announcement, which said Lambiase would join as chief racing officer when his existing Red Bull contract ends, no later than 2028. Brown’s remarks express an expectation, not a confirmed start date.
McLaren said the chief racing officer role would report to team principal Andrea Stella. Stella currently oversees those duties alongside his team principal responsibilities.
Lambiase has worked with Max Verstappen at Red Bull for more than a decade. McLaren has not provided further detail on his contract or said its announced timing has changed.
