Zak Brown addresses Andrea Stella Ferrari rumours after GianPiero Lambiase signing

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown firmly cut down rumours that Andrea Stella could leave McLaren in future, with the signature of GianPiero Lambiase secured.

Stella, the McLaren team principal, had been linked with a return to Ferrari, though Brown said this rumour is “total nonsense”, and accused “one or two teams” of “stirring”. Brown stressed that it was Stella’s decision to hire Lambiase.

Zak Brown calls Andrea Stella Ferrari rumours ‘total nonsense’

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Under Stella, McLaren has rekindled its glory days, a comeback which was rapid and emphatic under the Italian’s watch.

Stella took on the McLaren team principal role in 2023, a season which McLaren began towards the back of the grid.

Yet, the following year, McLaren was winning its first Constructors’ title since 1998.

That crown was retained in 2025, while Lando Norris became world champion for the first time.

Not since 2008, with Lewis Hamilton, had McLaren housed a Drivers’ champion.

McLaren has now secured the future services of GianPiero Lambiase, the long-serving race engineer to Norris’ title rival of recent years, Max Verstappen.

Lambiase will take on the ‘chief racing officer’ role, reporting to Stella, with his arrival expected no later than 2028.

Initial reports surrounding the situation, however, pointed at Stella moving back to Ferrari, the team where he could be found between 2000-2014.

But, when that rumour was put to Brown by Sky F1, he could not have been much clearer in quashing it.

PlanetF1.com reported on the day of Lambiase’s signing that Stella’s role remains unchanged, and that he is not poised for a Ferrari return.

“Can I confirm that’s total nonsense? I can confirm that’s total nonsense, and a team or two stirring it,” said Brown on the Stella to Ferrari talk.

“A great part of our sport is everyone likes to maybe destabilise teams.

“But that doesn’t work here.

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“Andrea is very committed to McLaren. We’re very committed to Andrea.

“Couldn’t be happier, and you’re going to see him in a McLaren outfit…”

Interrupted, Brown reiterated that there was “zero chance”, and was asked to confirm that Stella and Lambiase therefore will work together.

“100 per cent. 100 per cent. 100 per cent,” he stressed.

“Andrea, at the end of the day, is the one who hired ‘GP’.”

Speaking with PlanetF1.com and other invited media, Brown described Stella as the “glue” of McLaren, which will not change when Lambiase arrives.

Stella, meanwhile, has teased a “completely new car” to hit the grid in Miami, as F1 2026 resumes.

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