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Laurent Mekies suggested soon-departing Gianpiero Lambiase will become McLaren team principal, raising doubts over Andrea Stella’s relationship with the Papaya team.
Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to depart from Red Bull “no later than 2028” (AFP)
We all knew Gianpiero Lambiase was moving to McLaren. But stepping in as team principal? That wasn’t part of the script, at least not publicly.
But now, thanks to a few revealing comments from Laurent Mekies, the plot might have thickened.
A Slip Or Something More?
McLaren have consistently played down speculation that Lambiase, best known as Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer at Red Bull Racing, is being lined up to replace current boss Andrea Stella.
But speaking during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Mekies may have said the quiet part out loud.
“GP had an extraordinary opportunity, he’s going to be a team principal there,” Mekies said to Sky Sports. “It’s not something that I can do anything else but wish him well.”
McLaren’s Official Line
So far, McLaren aren’t budging.
CEO Zak Brown had already pushed back strongly against rumours swirling around the team, including speculation linking Stella with a move elsewhere.
“Can I confirm [rumours of Stella moving to Ferrari] is total nonsense? I can confirm that’s total nonsense, and a team or two stirring it,” Brown told Sky Sports.
“A great part of our sport is everyone likes to maybe destabilise teams.”
Red Bull’s Changing Landscape
Lambiase’s departure is just the latest in a growing list of high-profile exits from Red Bull in recent times.
Figures like Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have already moved on, marking a period of transition for the team.
Mekies acknowledged as much: “We have lost quite a few key people in the last four or five years… we take it very seriously.”
So, What’s Really Happening With GP?
That’s the million-dollar question on everyone’s mind.
Is Mekies simply misspeaking? Stirring things up? Or accidentally revealing McLaren’s longer-term plan?
For now, it’s lights out and away we go… playing the waiting game.
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