Red Bull: McLaren move a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for Gianpiero Lambiase

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Mekies is not the only Red Bull member to have publicly wished the 45-year-old well for his next move, as Verstappen recently said he would have been “stupid not to take it”.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for him, not just in terms of the role but also for his future. You have to think about your family and long-term security as well,” Verstappen, whose own future at Red Bull is under question with his contract expiring in 2028, told Viaplay.

“He told me he wanted to hear it from me, I said ‘100% you should just go for it’. We’ve already achieved everything together and more than once. We’ve won a lot, that won’t change.

“We’re both still young. You never know what happens in the future; maybe we’ll work together again. We’ll be friends for life. Everyone has their own goals and ambitions, you can’t hold someone back. In the end, everybody needs to grow.”

Lambiase will become the third Red Bull staff member to have been poached by McLaren: Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay respectively joined as chief designer and sporting director.

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