Lambiase’s shock McLaren switch isn’t about Verstappen’s future

There are many possible ways to interpret Gianpiero Lambiase’s announced move from Red Bull to McLaren (currently scheduled for 2028).Not unnaturally, it is being generally perceived through the lens of the already-disgruntled Max Verstappen losing his race engineer and what the implications of that may be upon the driver’s future. In the kaleidoscope of factors Verstappen will be considering in deciding that future, the loss of such a key ally would surely be in there.But Lambiase isn’t moving immediately. He’s not – so far – even scheduled to be on gardening leave and is still set to be working at Red Bull for the next two seasons. Verstappen is talking of not continuing beyond this season, so whether his race engineer will still be there two years down the line would not, on the surface of things, seem to be relevant. As things stand, Verstappen is contracted to the end of 2028, with Lambiase scheduled to be there unt …