Zak Brown set latest timeline for Gianpiero Lambiase arrival to McLaren

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown says he is hopeful Gianpiero Lambiase will begin working with the team at some point next year, ahead of the engineer’s confirmed arrival no later than 2028.

McLaren announced Lambiase’s signing earlier this year, naming him chief racing officer and saying he would report to team principal Andrea Stella. Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies has offered a different interpretation, saying he believes Lambiase is joining McLaren to become team principal. The position announced by McLaren, however, is chief racing officer.

A celebrated partnership nearing its end

Lambiase has worked as Max Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016. Their partnership has been among the most successful in the sport, and its approaching conclusion marks a significant change for both. More on Lambiase’s working relationship with Verstappen explores the engineer’s role alongside the driver.

Brown’s comments point to the possibility of Lambiase joining McLaren before the previously stated latest arrival date of 2028. He did not offer further detail on when the engineer might start.

Brown bullish on McLaren’s wider operation

McLaren’s Formula 1 form has dipped after three wins around the midpoint of the season, leaving the team behind in the competitive order. Brown acknowledged the difficult campaign but said he believes the organisation has made progress after a tough start.

“I’m very excited about everything that we’ve got going on at the factory, the men and women have been doing a great job,” he said. “We’ve made a lot of gains this year from what was a very tough start to the year, but I feel like we’re on top of things now-ish.”

He added that work remains, while praising the drivers and pointing to the breadth of McLaren’s racing programme. The team is set to enter the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category next year, alongside its IndyCar operation.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, the drivers are driving great, it’s exciting times,” Brown said.* “We’ve got the World Endurance [Championship] going on, our IndyCar team.”*

For Brown, that wider activity is part of the appeal of the team. “So it’s good to have a papaya shirt to show up to work at the MTC every day.”