Lambiase, widely regarded as a key figure behind Max Verstappen’s dominance, will take up a senior role as McLaren’s chief racing officer.
The move has raised eyebrows across the paddock, not least because of the influence he has wielded at Red Bull during their championship-winning era.
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya questioned why Red Bull allowed such a pivotal figure to slip away. Speaking to AS Colombia, he suggested the Milton Keynes outfit could have matched both the opportunity and authority McLaren has now offered.
“It is interesting because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull,” Montoya said. “When you look at everything he has achieved, it feels like a position Red Bull could have created for him as well.”
Lambiase’s departure also casts a shadow over Verstappen’s long-term future. The Dutch driver has built a close working relationship with his race engineer, and the loss of that connection could prove significant at a time when Red Bull are already facing performance concerns.
The team has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, lacking its usual pace across the opening three rounds. If that trend continues, Montoya believes Verstappen may begin to consider his options.
He pointed to Mercedes as a potential destination, noting that team principal Toto Wolff has long admired Verstappen. “If Red Bull remain on the slower side, Max will be looking for a way out as soon as possible,” Montoya added.
Attention now turns to the next round of the championship, the Miami Grand Prix, set for 3 May at the Miami International Autodrome in the United States. The race will mark the fourth event of the 2026 season, following earlier rounds in Australia and China, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia having been cancelled due to regional conflict.
With major changes already unfolding behind the scenes, the Miami weekend could offer further clues about Red Bull’s direction – and whether their grip on Formula 1 is beginning to loosen.
