{"id":1902011,"date":"2026-04-24T08:11:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1902011"},"modified":"2026-04-24T08:11:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:11:39","slug":"mclaren-addresses-total-nonsense-gianpiero-lambiase-f1-team-boss-rumours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1902011","title":{"rendered":"McLaren addresses \u201ctotal nonsense&#8221; Gianpiero Lambiase F1 team boss rumours"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>McLaren addresses \u201ctotal nonsense&#8221; Gianpiero Lambiase F1 team boss rumours<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Zak Brown rubbishes &#8220;total nonsense&#8221; claims about Gianpiero Lambiase replacing Andrea Stella.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-24T09:11:39+01:00\">24 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028 when his Red Bull contract expires<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Zak Brown has branded claims that Gianpiero Lambiase could replace Andrea Stella as McLaren\u2019s Formula 1 team principal \u201ctotal nonsense\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>During F1\u2019s enforced break, McLaren announced that Lambiase would be joining the team as chief racing officer once his Red Bull contract ends at the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>This led to speculation that Lambiase was being lined up as a potential successor to current McLaren boss Stella, with some media outlets even going as far as to claim that the Italian has a pre-contract agreement with Ferrari.<\/p>\n<p>But the rumours have been rubbished by McLaren Racing CEO Brown, who has made it clear that Lambiase will work with Stella and allow him more freedom to focus on the leadership aspects of his role.<\/p>\n<p>Brown suspects rival teams have been \u201cstirring\u201d the speculation in an attempt to try and \u201cdestabilise\u201d McLaren.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI can confirm that\u2019s total nonsense, a team or two stirring it,\u201d Brown told Sky Sports F1.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA great part of our sport is everyone likes to maybe destabilise teams but that doesn\u2019t work here.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-768185acb260496ee61c7e1e449a5d05ae32110508d97b99cf63caa534b0bad4\">  McLaren&#8217;s Zak Brown U-turns stance over Christian Horner F1 return   British karting star eclipses Hamilton as McLaren\u2019s youngest driver <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cAndrea is very committed to McLaren, we\u2019re very committed to Andrea and couldn\u2019t be happier and you are going to see him in a McLaren outfit for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown added there\u2019s \u201czero chance\u201d that Stella will leave his role and hand over the reins to Lambiase, insisting: \u201cAndrea at the end of the day is the one who hired GP.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked if there is a chance Lambiase could join McLaren early, Brown replied: &#8220;There&#8217;s always a chance, but he has a contract and we&#8217;re going to respect that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c3201d8f53f4749dbd21228fe39584409f466d28c32b6560b139fff0ef3dbd00\">  How much slower will the cars be under revised F1 2026 rules?   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they obviously need to I presume have a solution and then once and if that&#8217;s in place, open to have a dialogue.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But we&#8217;re prepared to wait to &#8217;28 and that&#8217;s what we&#8217;ll do if that&#8217;s what ends up happening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown also shut down the possibility of McLaren signing Max Verstappen to reunite with his long-serving Red Bull race engineer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;From McLaren&#8217;s point of view, I couldn&#8217;t be happier with Lando and Oscar,\u201d Brown stressed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it&#8217;s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track, so we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars. Obviously if one were to go away, yeah, Max is a huge talent but I&#8217;m not anticipating that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Where might he go? If I had to bet, I&#8217;d say to Mercedes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">McLaren<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Allan McNish set for new racing director role at Audi F1 team<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1338991_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> \u2018F1 has no problems\u2019 &#8211; F1 chief\u2019s firm defence against 2026 rules backlash<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1335058_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-cff0ca724251f5ef90759b04c4fd7b62c593f79ebbc19cf587c2c664499d6a4f\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-8a0e2c927ee50ffc42c734aadf1f875895eeb91621a7e609fb5fab876bbaf2c9\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776933054\"> 23\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1396704_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Brown has continually raised concerns about A\/B teams in F1\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776930690\"> 23\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1393607_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first driver verdict on F1\u2019s attempts to fix 2026 rule problems<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776881511\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404673_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Piastri has backed F1's 2026 rule tweaks\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren tease \u201centirely new MCL40\u201d car for North American F1 races<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776879320\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268730713.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"McLaren will bring a substantial upgrade package to Miami and Montreal\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris reveals what would &#8216;mean more than winning an F1 championship&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776856757\"> 22\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403798_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lando Norris, McLaren Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris reveals chats with golf superstar helped him conquer F1 demons<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776767366\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris triumphed to win his maiden world title last year\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Zak Brown rubbishes &#8220;total nonsense&#8221; claims about Gianpiero Lambiase replacing Andrea Stella.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Zak Brown has branded claims that Gianpiero Lambiase could replace Andrea Stella as McLaren\u2019s Formula 1 team principal \u201ctotal nonsense\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>During F1\u2019s enforced break, McLaren announced that Lambiase would be joining the team as chief racing officer once his Red Bull contract ends at the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>This led to speculation that Lambiase was being lined up as a potential successor to current McLaren boss Stella, with some media outlets even going as far as to claim that the Italian has a pre-contract agreement with Ferrari.<\/p>\n<p>But the rumours have been rubbished by McLaren Racing CEO Brown, who has made it clear that Lambiase will work with Stella and allow him more freedom to focus on the leadership aspects of his role.<\/p>\n<p>Brown suspects rival teams have been \u201cstirring\u201d the speculation in an attempt to try and \u201cdestabilise\u201d McLaren.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI can confirm that\u2019s total nonsense, a team or two stirring it,\u201d Brown told Sky Sports F1.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA great part of our sport is everyone likes to maybe destabilise teams but that doesn\u2019t work here.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-768185acb260496ee61c7e1e449a5d05ae32110508d97b99cf63caa534b0bad4\">  McLaren&#8217;s Zak Brown U-turns stance over Christian Horner F1 return   British karting star eclipses Hamilton as McLaren\u2019s youngest driver <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cAndrea is very committed to McLaren, we\u2019re very committed to Andrea and couldn\u2019t be happier and you are going to see him in a McLaren outfit for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown added there\u2019s \u201czero chance\u201d that Stella will leave his role and hand over the reins to Lambiase, insisting: \u201cAndrea at the end of the day is the one who hired GP.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked if there is a chance Lambiase could join McLaren early, Brown replied: &#8220;There&#8217;s always a chance, but he has a contract and we&#8217;re going to respect that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c3201d8f53f4749dbd21228fe39584409f466d28c32b6560b139fff0ef3dbd00\">  How much slower will the cars be under revised F1 2026 rules?   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they obviously need to I presume have a solution and then once and if that&#8217;s in place, open to have a dialogue.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But we&#8217;re prepared to wait to &#8217;28 and that&#8217;s what we&#8217;ll do if that&#8217;s what ends up happening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown also shut down the possibility of McLaren signing Max Verstappen to reunite with his long-serving Red Bull race engineer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;From McLaren&#8217;s point of view, I couldn&#8217;t be happier with Lando and Oscar,\u201d Brown stressed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it&#8217;s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track, so we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars. Obviously if one were to go away, yeah, Max is a huge talent but I&#8217;m not anticipating that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Where might he go? If I had to bet, I&#8217;d say to Mercedes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Zak Brown has branded claims that Gianpiero Lambiase could replace Andrea Stella as McLaren\u2019s Formula 1 team principal \u201ctotal nonsense\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>During F1\u2019s enforced break, McLaren announced that Lambiase would be joining the team as chief racing officer once his Red Bull contract ends at the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>This led to speculation that Lambiase was being lined up as a potential successor to current McLaren boss Stella, with some media outlets even going as far as to claim that the Italian has a pre-contract agreement with Ferrari.<\/p>\n<p>But the rumours have been rubbished by McLaren Racing CEO Brown, who has made it clear that Lambiase will work with Stella and allow him more freedom to focus on the leadership aspects of his role.<\/p>\n<p>Brown suspects rival teams have been \u201cstirring\u201d the speculation in an attempt to try and \u201cdestabilise\u201d McLaren.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI can confirm that\u2019s total nonsense, a team or two stirring it,\u201d Brown told Sky Sports F1.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA great part of our sport is everyone likes to maybe destabilise teams but that doesn\u2019t work here.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-768185acb260496ee61c7e1e449a5d05ae32110508d97b99cf63caa534b0bad4\">  McLaren&#8217;s Zak Brown U-turns stance over Christian Horner F1 return   British karting star eclipses Hamilton as McLaren\u2019s youngest driver <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cAndrea is very committed to McLaren, we\u2019re very committed to Andrea and couldn\u2019t be happier and you are going to see him in a McLaren outfit for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown added there\u2019s \u201czero chance\u201d that Stella will leave his role and hand over the reins to Lambiase, insisting: \u201cAndrea at the end of the day is the one who hired GP.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked if there is a chance Lambiase could join McLaren early, Brown replied: &#8220;There&#8217;s always a chance, but he has a contract and we&#8217;re going to respect that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c3201d8f53f4749dbd21228fe39584409f466d28c32b6560b139fff0ef3dbd00\">  How much slower will the cars be under revised F1 2026 rules?   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Obviously in conversations with Red Bull, they obviously need to I presume have a solution and then once and if that&#8217;s in place, open to have a dialogue.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But we&#8217;re prepared to wait to &#8217;28 and that&#8217;s what we&#8217;ll do if that&#8217;s what ends up happening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown also shut down the possibility of McLaren signing Max Verstappen to reunite with his long-serving Red Bull race engineer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;From McLaren&#8217;s point of view, I couldn&#8217;t be happier with Lando and Oscar,\u201d Brown stressed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it&#8217;s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track, so we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars. Obviously if one were to go away, yeah, Max is a huge talent but I&#8217;m not anticipating that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Where might he go? If I had to bet, I&#8217;d say to Mercedes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1093336\/1\/mclaren-addresses-total-nonsense-gianpiero-lambiase-f1-team-boss-rumours&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1389527_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] McLaren addresses \u201ctotal nonsense&#8221; Gianpiero Lambiase F1 team boss rumours Zak Brown rubbishes &#8220;total nonsense&#8221; claims about Gianpiero Lambiase replacing Andrea Stella. Lewis Larkam 24 Apr 2026 Share Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028 when his Red Bull contract expires Add as a preferred source Zak Brown has branded claims that Gianpiero [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1902011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1902011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902011\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1902011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1902011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1902011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}