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Max Verstappen has reportedly thrown his support behind Gianpiero Lambiase's decision to quit Red Bull for title rivals McLaren. Verstappen's race engineer is one of his closest allies in the team but will now see out his contract before joining McLaren in 2028.

Lambiase will take up the role of chief racing officer, working alongside chief executive Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella. Verstappen's future at Red Bull has been shrouded in doubt for some time. After a drawn-out flirtation with Toto Wolff and Mercedes, the four-time world champion reaffirmed his commitment to the team he is contracted to until 2028. This news could leave Verstappen's future in doubt, however, as he has previously claimed he would exit Red Bull should Lambiase depart. He has also hit out at new car regulations this season, even threatening to walk away from the sport.

The Daily Mail have claimed that Verstappen is not contemplating leaving and will stay at Red Bull for the remainder of the year and possibly beyond. Yet the 28-year-old's support of Lambiase's career pivot is unusual given their close bond, possibly suggesting he too is preparing for his exit from the team at some point in the near future.

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One source, who asked not to be named, said: "GP has been offered a fortune to go and that is understandable. There is no objection on Max's part. Quite the opposite. He supports GP and his decision."

Lambiase has been Red Bull's head of racing since the start of 2025. After winning his first F1 drivers' title in 2021, Verstappen told Ziggo Sport about their strong relationship: "I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too.

"Of course, we can be pretty strict with each other sometimes, but I want that too. He has to tell me when I'm being a jerk and I have to tell him. I always told him that."

Speaking on the shorthand the pair have adopted when communicating during races, he told Sky Sports F1 in 2023: "That's how we operate. I think we know each other very well from all the years we have been working together."

Lambiase's switch marks yet more disruption for Red Bull. Christian Horner was sacked as team principal in the summer of 2025 after 20 years, while director of partnerships Julia George and group marketing director Simon Smith-Wright left in the build-up to the 2026 campaign.

Rob Marshall joined McLaren as a technical director in 2024 and legendary designer Adrian Newey departed to join Aston Martin in 2025. Will Courtenay also left his role as sporting director earlier this year.

On Lambiase's move, a McLaren's statement read: "The role of the chief racing officer already exists within the team's structure with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as team principal.

"Lambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren Mastercard, while also reaffirming the team's long-term commitment to confirming its position as a championship-winning team."

Red Bull said: "Oracle Red Bull Racing confirms that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the team in 2028, when his current contract expires. 'GP' is a valued member of the team, who joined the team in 2015.

"Until his planned departure, 'GP' continues in his roles as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen. The team and he are fully committed to add more success to our strong track record together."