Ayao Komatsu points out the first ‘challenge’ Gianpiero Lambiase will face after McLaren move

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has highlighted the first major challenge awaiting Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren.

Lambiase will remain with Red Bull until the end of 2028 before joining McLaren, who made the announcement last Thursday.

There had been speculation that he might take over from Andrea Stella as team principal, but McLaren have since confirmed he will step into the position of Chief Racing Officer.

Lambiase is just one of several notable figures to leave Red Bull in recent times, following exits by Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, Adrian Newey and Rob Marshall.

Ayao Komatsu outlines what Gianpiero Lambiase needs to address at McLaren

Speaking on the latest episode of the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Komatsu shared his perspective on Lambiase’s upcoming move to McLaren.

Komatsu was asked if he had any advice for Lambiase but noted that the Red Bull man’s situation is ‘very different’ from what he experienced at Haas.

He pointed out that joining a new team always comes with a learning curve, and that getting to know the staff and how they operate will be key for Lambiase as he settles in.

“For instance, he is going to a new team. When I got my job here, I’d been with the team for eight years. So I knew everyone and their strengths and weaknesses in this organisation.

“So, his challenge will be very different. But I’m sure he is a highly capable individual, so I’m sure he can attack the new challenges very well.”

Max Verstappen’s reaction to Gianpiero Lambiase joining McLaren

Speaking on Thursday evening, Verstappen opened up about Lambiase’s choice to swap Red Bull for McLaren.

The Dutchman shared that Lambiase had asked for his approval before taking the role, with Verstappen fully supporting the move.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Verstappen said: “He told me what kind of offer he got. I said you’d be stupid not to do that. We have already achieved everything together.

“And then he gets such a great offer, also with an eye to his family and the security he gets from it.”

“He asked me for some kind of permission, and I told him to be 100% sure. He wanted to hear that from my mouth.”