{"id":441937,"date":"2026-05-23T18:27:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T18:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/441937\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T18:27:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T18:27:27","slug":"f1-news-laurent-mekies-doubles-down-on-lambiase-mclaren-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/441937\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 news: Laurent Mekies doubles down on Lambiase McLaren claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Mekies
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLaurent Mekies has again claimed Gianpiero Lambiase is set to become McLaren team principal. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n

Lambiase was announced last month as joining McLaren in 2028<\/a>, with the team confirming he would take on the role of chief racing officer, a senior position designed to strengthen its leadership structure and support team principal Andrea Stella.<\/p>\n

However, speculation has persisted that he is ultimately being lined up to replace Stella, with Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies telling Sky Sports in Miami that \u201che\u2019s going to be a team principal there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those comments were promptly dismissed by McLaren CEO Zak Brown a day later<\/a>, but the topic resurfaced in Canada, where Mekies again backed his previous claim and maintained his understanding had not changed.<\/p>\n

Speaking during Friday\u2019s FIA team principals\u2019 press conference in Montreal, the Red Bull Racing boss again addressed speculation surrounding Lambiase\u2019s future, insisting conversations around the long-time engineer\u2019s move had always pointed towards a team principal role.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, it\u2019s certainly my understanding that GP is going to McLaren to become a team principal,\u201d Mekies said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I told you at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

McLaren has consistently pushed back on that interpretation, maintaining that Lambiase\u2019s planned arrival is part of a broader leadership expansion rather than a succession plan for Stella.<\/p>\n

Stella, who appeared alongside Mekies in the same press conference, reiterated that McLaren\u2019s focus is on strengthening its senior leadership group rather than preparing for a change at the top.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, it\u2019s important to employ the best talents in Formula 1 because Zak and I want to build the strongest team,\u201d Stella said.<\/p>\n

He added that Lambiase\u2019s arrival fits into a wider strategy aimed at reinforcing leadership depth across the organisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am personally very stretched in my role as team principal, and I need a strong group of leaders working with me.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I think the plan is very clear. Any other speculation leads us back to the silly season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mekies, however, maintained his position when pressed further, adding that while conversations had taken place, the timing and execution of any future move was not something he was involved in.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, don\u2019t ask me if it\u2019s going to happen. The timing of it is none of my business. I can just tell you the content of our conversations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Alongside the ongoing debate over McLaren\u2019s structure, Mekies also addressed renewed speculation surrounding Max Verstappen after images in the Montreal paddock showed Mercedes boss Toto Wolff speaking with Max\u2019s father Jos.<\/p>\n

Mekies moved to shut down suggestions the meeting carried any significance, saying there was \u201cno intention particularly behind\u201d the interaction and stressing that informal conversations between paddock figures were routine.<\/p>\n

He also reiterated that Verstappen remains fully committed to Red Bull\u2019s long-term project, with the Dutchman continuing to play a central role in the team\u2019s plans despite ongoing speculation over his future.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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