Guenther Steiner Labels Gianpiero Lambiase’s Red Bull Exit as Part of Natural Formula 1 Success Cycle

Guenther Steiner explains why Gianpiero Lambiase leaving Red Bull for McLaren is part of F1's natural cycle as the team's dominance fades.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 4:38 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Inevitable Attrition of a Dominant Power

The announcement that Gianpiero "GP" Lambiase will join McLaren by 2028 marks the latest high-profile exit from Red Bull Racing, following a period of unprecedented success. Guenther Steiner, the former boss of the Haas F1 Team, views this movement as an unavoidable byproduct of a team reaching its peak. According to Steiner, personnel at a championship-winning organization reach their maximum market value while the team is winning, making them "hot property" for rivals. As Red Bull’s on-track dominance has recently slipped to being the third or fourth strongest team, veteran staff members are increasingly striking while their reputations are at an all-time high.

A Leadership Vacuum Following Historical Shifts

The exodus at Milton Keynes is not limited to engineers, as the team has undergone a radical transformation in its management structure over the last 24 months. Steiner pointed to the passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz as a pivotal moment that left a significant leadership void. This instability was further compounded by the high-profile departures of Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall, and Will Courtenay. Even the team's long-standing leadership duo, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, left during a tumultuous off-season, leaving the organization in a state of flux as it attempts to redefine its identity within the larger Red Bull corporate structure.

The Challenges Facing New Leadership

The task of rebuilding the once-unassailable team now falls to Laurent Mekies, who succeeded Christian Horner as team principal following the 2025 British Grand Prix. Steiner expressed confidence in the Frenchman’s capabilities but cautioned that there is no quick fix for the current brain drain. Mekies is currently overseeing a "painful reset" and must focus on recruiting new talent and nurturing young engineers who are eager to restore Red Bull to the front of the grid. Steiner emphasized that it would likely take years rather than months for the team to return to its former status as a dominant force in the sport.