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Gianpiero Lambiase Rejects Ferrari’s Offer to Pair with Hamilton, Opts to Stay at Red Bull

In a dramatic turn of events in the Formula 1 paddock, Gianpiero Lambiase, a long-time race engineer at Red Bull, has turned down an offer from Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur to partner with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season. Lambiase, who has built a reputation as one of the most influential race engineers in the sport, opted to stay at Red Bull, where he currently works with two-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Vasseur’s approach was reportedly part of Ferrari’s ambitious plans to rejuvenate its racing department by hiring a technical team capable of helping Hamilton secure his eighth world title. Ferrari, struggling to return to its former dominance, hoped that pairing Hamilton with Lambiase would reignite the Scuderia’s championship ambitions.

The Italian-British Lambiase has worked in Formula 1 since 2005 and has collaborated with drivers such as Giancarlo Fisichella, Paul di Resta, and Sergio Pérez before solidifying his partnership with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Over the years, Lambiase has become a key part of Red Bull’s technical team and is widely regarded for his straightforward, no-nonsense approach, which complements Verstappen’s aggressive driving style.

Ferrari’s pursuit of Lambiase was seen as part of a larger strategic effort to create a strong technical environment for Hamilton, who is rumored to be considering a move to the Italian team after his contract with Mercedes expires in 2025. Hamilton’s potential transfer to Ferrari has been one of the most talked-about topics in F1, with fans and pundits alike eager to see if the legendary driver can succeed at the sport’s most iconic team.

Vasseur had envisioned that the combination of Hamilton’s racecraft and Lambiase’s engineering expertise would create a formidable duo capable of taking on Red Bull and Verstappen. The partnership would have brought together two of the most experienced figures in F1—Hamilton with his vast knowledge of car development and race strategy, and Lambiase, with his meticulous approach to engineering and racecraft.

However, despite the tempting offer from Ferrari, Lambiase has chosen to remain loyal to Red Bull. His decision is indicative of Red Bull’s determination to retain key personnel in the face of competition. Red Bull’s management, particularly Helmut Marko, has emphasized the importance of keeping the team’s core members intact, knowing that their success hinges not only on Verstappen’s talent but also on the stability and expertise of their technical staff.

As Lambiase stays put at Red Bull, Hamilton is now set to work with Riccardo Adami, who previously served as Carlos Sainz’s race engineer. Adami, an experienced figure in F1, is well-versed in Ferrari’s operations and has developed a solid reputation for his work with Sainz over recent seasons. While the duo may not have the chemistry that Hamilton and Lambiase could have offered, Adami’s deep understanding of Ferrari’s inner workings could still provide Hamilton with the technical support he needs.

Ferrari will need more than just an engineering shakeup to challenge Red Bull’s dominance. The team has struggled with reliability issues and inconsistent performance over the past seasons, leaving them trailing behind the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes. Hamilton, known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, will demand a car capable of fighting for wins right out of the box if he does make the switch.

With Lambiase staying at Red Bull, the focus now shifts to Ferrari’s next steps in securing Hamilton’s services and finding the right technical support to back him. The dynamic of the F1 grid could shift dramatically in the coming years, especially with key figures like Hamilton and Lambiase making career-defining decisions.

For now, Red Bull retains one of its most valuable assets, while Ferrari must continue to seek the missing pieces of its championship puzzle.