Gianpiero Lambiase has been confirmed to continue as Max Verstappen’s race engineer for 2026 Formula 1 season with his current Red Bull contract running until the end of 2027.
This announcement dispels weeks of speculation and rumors that had swirled around the highly respected engineer, often affectionately known as “GP” among fans and within the paddock.
Gianpiero Lambiase, who has been the steady voice guiding Verstappen through some of the most intense moments in modern F1 history, will retain his pivotal role on the pit wall while also maintaining his position as Red Bull Head of Racing.
This comes at a critical juncture for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, as teams prepare for the 2026 F1 regulations overhaul that promises to reshape power units, chassis designs, and overall competitiveness on the grid.
Speculation about Lambiase’s future initially gained traction following his absences from the Austrian and Belgian Grands Prix earlier last year, where stand-in Simon Rennie filled in seamlessly but could not replicate GP’s unique rapport with Verstappen.
However, rumours intensified post-Abu Dhabi 2025 as Lambiase was visibly emotional after Verstappen narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive title, with reports claiming the British engineer would relinquish trackside duties to focus on factory-based work at Milton Keynes due to personal reasons.
Recently, Lambiase was linked with a move to Aston Martin where team principal Adrian Newey might have lured him with a senior role, and even Williams, seeking engineering expertise amid their resurgence.
However, Dutch publication De Telegraff reports that his Red Bull contract extends through 2027, and he will continue serving as Max Verstappen’s race engineer for 2026 F1 season alongside his extra role as Red Bull Head of Racing.
Sources indicate that while discussions occurred over the winter break, no formal offers led to a departure, partly due to gardening leave clauses common for high-profile F1 personnel.
The confirmation provides much-needed stability for Red Bull, who have seen other Verstappen aides depart: performance engineer Tom Hart stays for 2026 but heads to Williams in 2027, while mechanic Matt Caller joined Audi’s project under Wheatley.
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