According to reports emerging from the Netherlands, Andrea Stella could be set for a sensational return to Ferrari in the coming years. The Italian engineer from Orvieto, currently serving as Team Principal of McLaren, is once again being associated with a move back to Maranello, where he built much of his early Formula 1 career.
McLaren shake-up: Lambiase in, Stella potentially out
Earlier today, Dutch outlet De Limburger revealed what has been described as a major development in the Formula 1 technical market. Gianpiero Lambiase is reportedly set to join McLaren starting from the 2028 season, following the expiration of his current contract with Red Bull. The report suggests that a highly lucrative financial offer played a decisive role in convincing the current race engineer of Max Verstappen, as well as Red Bull’s Head of Racing, to accept the move.
Further details were provided by De Telegraaf journalist Erik Van Haren, widely regarded as a reliable source within the Formula 1 paddock. According to the Dutch newspaper, Gianpiero Lambiase is expected to arrive at McLaren with a long-term vision of eventually becoming the team’s future Team Principal.
The publication stated: “With the arrival of Lambiase for 2028, McLaren is already preparing for a possible departure of Andrea Stella. The current Team Principal enjoys a strong reputation in Woking, but he is being linked with a return to Ferrari.”
It is worth noting that in August 2024, McLaren officially confirmed a multi-year contract extension for Andrea Stella, who has been leading the team since 2022. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s current Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur, signed a contract renewal last year believed to keep him in charge at least until the end of the 2027 Formula 1 season.
The career path of Andrea Stella
Andrea Stella, an aerospace engineer who graduated from La Sapienza University in Rome, began his Formula 1 journey in 2000 with Ferrari. During his time at Maranello, he worked as a race engineer for several world-class drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, and Fernando Alonso, gaining extensive experience at the highest level of the sport.
In 2015, Andrea Stella made the move to McLaren, where he quickly established himself as a key figure within the team. Over the years, he climbed through the organizational structure, eventually being appointed Team Principal in December 2022, replacing Andreas Seidl.
Under his technical and strategic leadership, McLaren has undergone a remarkable resurgence, re-establishing itself as a leading force in Formula 1. Andrea Stella played a central role in guiding the Woking-based outfit back to the front of the grid, culminating in a Constructors’ Championship victory in 2024. This achievement marked McLaren’s first title in 26 years, with the previous success dating back to 1998.
The team’s success continued into 2025, as McLaren once again secured the Constructors’ Championship while also clinching the Drivers’ Championship with Lando Norris. Under Andrea Stella’s leadership, the team has accumulated more than 20 Grand Prix victories, confirming its return to the top tier of Formula 1 competition.
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