Red Bull’s GP Bombshell? Mekies Doubles Down On Lambiase-To-McLaren Boss Theory

Last Updated:May 23, 2026, 12:36 IST

Laurent Mekies reignited F1’s rumour mill by insisting Gianpiero Lambiase is heading to McLaren for a leadership role, despite Andrea Stella dismissing speculation.

Formula 1’s silly season has arrived early, and we have Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies to thank for it.

The Frenchman doubled down on his explosive claim that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is heading to McLaren to eventually become team principal, despite current McLaren boss Andrea Stella firmly denying any such plan.

Speaking during an FIA press conference at the Canadian Grand Prix, Mekies insisted he was only repeating what he understood from conversations held before Lambiase agreed to leave Red Bull.

“Look, it’s certainly my understanding that GP is going to McLaren to become a team principal," Mekies said.

“That’s what I told you at the time in Miami.

“Obviously, we had a number of conversations before he was going to make that decision. Now, don’t ask me if it’s going to happen. The timing of it is none of my business. I can just tell you the content of our conversations."

The comments reignited speculation that has been simmering since McLaren announced in April that Lambiase would join the team as Chief Racing Officer no later than 2028, when his current Red Bull contract expires.

At the time, McLaren positioned the hire as support for Stella rather than a succession plan. But Mekies clearly sees it differently.

And with Stella sitting beside him during Friday’s media session, the tension was impossible to ignore.

The McLaren chief, however, brushed aside the rumours and labelled the entire situation classic Formula 1 “silly season."

“For us, it’s important to employ the best talents in Formula One because Zak and I want to build the strongest team," Stella explained.

“And employing GP is part of this vision… creating additive leadership that can integrate with the present leadership and create a stronger and stronger team at McLaren."

Stella also dismissed whispers linking him to Ferrari and Oscar Piastri to Red Bull, while Mekies downplayed concerns that Verstappen himself could eventually follow Lambiase to McLaren.

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