Verstappen to leave F1 after 2026 season? Speculation grows after Red Bull engineer’s reported move

• Photo courtesy of Max Verstappen.

Speculation over Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 has intensified online following reports that his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambast is set to leave Red Bull Racing for a senior role at McLaren.

Multiple reports, including from ESPN, indicate that Lambiase—who has worked with Verstappen since his debut win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix—will join McLaren at the end of the 2027 season. The move has yet to be officially confirmed by either team.

The reported development has triggered renewed discussion across the Formula 1 community, with some observers raising questions about whether Verstappen could consider stepping away from the sport as early as 2026.

The four-time world champion has previously spoken about reassessing his long-term future in Formula 1, particularly amid concerns over the sport’s upcoming regulations and racing direction.

Verstappen is currently under contract until 2028, though widely reported provisions in his deal could allow for an earlier exit under certain conditions. He has also expressed interest in exploring other racing disciplines beyond Formula 1.

At this stage, there is no official indication that Verstappen plans to leave after the 2026 season, and no direct link has been established between Lambiase’s reported move and the driver’s future decisions. Still, given the long-standing working relationship between the two, the timing has added to ongoing speculation surrounding one of the sport’s most dominant drivers.