The McLaren team principal delivered a firm and sharp response to rumors suggesting he could be set for a return to Ferrari following the arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase at the papaya team. The speculation, which spread quickly in the paddock and across international media, was dismissed by all parties involved.
The Lambiase move
McLaren became one of the main talking points during the extended spring break in Formula 1, which saw no races scheduled in April due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. The Woking-based team made a surprise announcement confirming the signing of Red Bull’s long-time race engineer for Max Verstappen, Gianpiero Lambiase, who will join McLaren no later than the 2028 season.
The Italian-British engineer, who spent a decade as the key voice in the ear of the four-time world champion from the Netherlands, will take on the role of Chief Racing Officer at McLaren. This position is currently included within the responsibilities of team principal Andrea Stella but will be separated specifically for him upon arrival.
The announcement of Gianpiero Lambiase’s future switch immediately triggered a wave of rumors, particularly fueled by Dutch media outlets, suggesting that Stella himself could be preparing to leave McLaren in order to make a sensational return to Ferrari as team principal. However, the idea quickly lost momentum after clear denials from all parties involved.
Stella shuts down the rumors
Speaking to McLaren’s official channel, the Italian team principal personally addressed the speculation, combining irritation with irony as he responded to claims linking him with a departure from the team he has helped restore to the top of Formula 1 after years of struggle.
“Honestly, some of the rumors that have circulated recently, including those about astronomical salaries and alleged pre-contracts, made me smile,” Stella commented.
“It almost feels like the ‘silly season’, which usually starts before the summer, has arrived early. I am quite used to this kind of thing by now, and I take it with a smile. It almost feels like some envious pastry chef tried to spoil the preparation of a good dessert at the McLaren bakery. However, we know very well how to distinguish good ingredients from poisoned cookies…” said the Orvieto-born manager.
These developments highlight the intense competitive landscape of Formula 1, where strategic recruitment and media speculation often go hand in hand. As McLaren continues to solidify its technical and managerial structure, the focus remains on maintaining their upward trajectory and ignoring the external noise that naturally follows success in the paddock.
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