Juan Pablo Montoya has questioned GianPiero Lambiase\u2019s move to McLaren, suggesting Red Bull could have retained the highly-rated engineer.<\/p>\n
Instead, the squad now risks losing Max Verstappen to Mercedes before his contract expires in F1 2028.<\/p>\n
Juan Pablo Montoya questions GianPiero Lambiase McLaren move<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n Lambiase has become an integral part of Red Bull\u2019s engineering team through his role working with Verstappen over the past decade.<\/p>\n The pair have enjoyed four world championships together, with the relationship such that they\u2019ve suggested that\u00a0if one leaves the organisation, the other shall also quit Red Bull.<\/p>\n They won their first grand prix together in 2016 on Verstappen\u2019s Red Bull debut, forging a bond that has since proved unshakeable.<\/p>\n Speaking in 2023, Lambiase told De Telegraaf: \u201cThe day Max and I stop working together in this set-up will be the day I\u2019m keen to take on a new challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n Go deeper: GianPiero Lambiase swaps Red Bull for McLaren<\/p>\n GianPiero Lambiase McLaren move raises fresh questions over Max Verstappen\u2019s Red Bull future<\/a><\/p>\n Ranked: Five memorable radio exchanges between Max Verstappen and GianPiero Lambiase<\/a><\/p>\n Verstappen also had his thoughts on the subject, saying: \u201cI have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too.\u201d<\/p>\n And now Lambiase will depart, at least in his Red Bull role.<\/p>\n It comes at a time when Verstappen is publicly questioning his place in Formula 1 with the 28-year-old unhappy with the new \u201canti-racing\u201d regulations.<\/p>\n McLaren announced the signing of Lambiase on Thursday following months of uncertainty surrounding the 45-year-old\u2019s future.<\/p>\n PlanetF1.com understands he was approached by Aston Martin<\/a> before opting to join McLaren as the team\u2019s new chief racing officer.<\/p>\n In a statement provided to PlanetF1.com, McLaren said that Lambiase will arrive in Woking \u201cno later\u201d than 2028 when his Red Bull contract is due to expire.<\/p>\n \u201cMcLaren Racing is pleased to announce that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal, Andrea Stella,\u201d a team spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe role of the Chief Racing Officer already exists within the team\u2019s structure with overall leadership of the race team. These duties are currently managed by Andrea Stella in addition to his role as Team Principal.<\/p>\n \u201cLambiase is the latest hire designed to strengthen and support the talent pool that exists at McLaren Mastercard, while also reaffirming the team\u2019s long-term commitment to confirming its position as a Championship-winning team.\u201d<\/p>\n The development has left former F1 driver Montoya perplexed, reasoning Red Bull could have offered Lambiase the same position, thereby guaranteeing it had a Verstappen ally within its camp for the years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is interesting because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull,\u201d Montoya told AS Colombia.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s also a role that Red Bull could have known he could have gotten elsewhere.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know for sure, but when I look at all he has achieved, I personally think it is a role that Red Bull certainly could have given him as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead, by failing to lock down Lambiase, Red Bull has opened the door to increased speculation that Verstappen will leave the team before the end of 2028, when his current contract expires.<\/p>\n That could see him step away from F1, with suggestions he could take a sabbatical, or switch to Mercedes.<\/p>\n \u201cTeam boss Toto Wolff has always said very clearly that he wants Max in his team,\u201d Montoya said. \u201cThis could well be the perfect opportunity for Verstappen.<\/p>\n \u201cRed Bull is on the slower side. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely be looking for a way out, for a way to leave as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n