Max Verstappen’s future in Formula One remains uncertain following reports that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, plans to leave Red Bull Racing. According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, Lambiase is expected to join McLaren, Red Bull’s competitor, once his current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, with a possibility of an earlier departure.

Lambiase, a British-Italian engineer, has been integral to Verstappen’s career at Red Bull, having worked with him since the Dutch driver joined the team a decade ago. Verstappen, who claimed his fourth world championship in 2024, is currently under contract with Red Bull until 2028. However, signs of unrest have emerged recently, including Verstappen’s candid remarks during last month’s Japanese Grand Prix suggesting he might be contemplating retirement from the sport.

The 28-year-old driver voiced frustration with the new regulations and the performance of his team’s car, describing it as “undriveable” and expressing difficulty in articulating his feelings about the current state of affairs. Verstappen remarked that he no longer experiences anger or frustration but is deeply uncertain about his future in Formula One. In a subsequent interview, he pondered whether continuing in the sport was worthwhile compared to spending more time with family and friends.

Lambiase’s departure would represent the latest in a series of significant exits from Red Bull’s senior staff. Last year, Christian Horner was dismissed as team principal, while key figures such as chief aerodynamicist Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley also left the organization prior to Horner’s exit. Neither Red Bull nor McLaren have formally commented on the situation.

In a related development within the racing world, the Formula Two championship announced it will expand its calendar to include North American rounds for the first time. Races originally scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which were canceled amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, will be replaced by events on the weekends of the Miami and Montreal Formula One Grands Prix in May. The Miami round is set for May 1-3, followed by Montreal on May 22-24.

Bruno Michel, CEO of Formula Two, described the inclusion of North American venues as a significant step forward, noting that it allows the series to resume competition promptly after early-season disruptions. Meanwhile, Formula One’s calendar remains unchanged for the time being, with a planned month-long break before racing resumes in Miami for the fourth round of the 2026 season.