Andrea Stella admits McLaren role is ‘not sustainable’ and responds to ‘pre-contracts’ rumours

Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Andrea Stella has spoken about his role at McLaren, admitting that the way things are set up now can’t last long-term as he responds to recent talk about pre-contracts.

Last week, talk of a possible return to Ferrari started after McLaren confirmed that Gianpiero Lambiase would be joining the team in 2028.

Lambiase is set to take over as Chief Racing Officer, a move that will allow Stella to focus more on his duties as team principal.

Andrea Stella outlines what Gianpiero Lambiase’s arrival will mean for McLaren

Speaking to McLaren, Stella explained that the decision to bring in Lambiase was made because his current ‘dual role’ would be unsustainable over time.

He said: “Gianpiero’s arrival is the classic icing on a cake that already has all the right ingredients in the first place.

“For me, he will be a key support, filling the role of Chief Racing Officer, a position I currently hold alongside my role as Team Principal.

“Together with Zak, we have always worked over the past three years to ensure continuity over the long term in terms of leadership and expertise.”

Lambiase is highly respected in Formula 1 and brings a wealth of experience from his time with Red Bull. His addition could provide McLaren with valuable insights and help strengthen their race operations.

The growing demands of an expanded F1 calendar have made it more challenging for teams to manage workload and maintain performance levels. Bringing in someone like Lambiase could help distribute responsibilities more evenly.

Andrea Stella responds to ‘pre-contracts’ and McLaren exit rumours

When asked about the speculation over his future, Stella said he couldn’t help but find some of the rumours amusing.