McLaren set latest timeline for Gianpiero Lambiase arrival from Red Bull

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has voiced hope that Gianpiero Lambiase will take up a working position within the team at some point next year.

Earlier this year, McLaren announced the signing of Lambiase, stating he would arrive at the team "no later than 2028".

It declared that he would take up the position of chief racing officer and report to team principal Andrea Stella.

However, this has been disputed by Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies, who stated that he believes Lambiase is joining McLaren to take on the team principal role.

Lambiase has served as Max Verstappen's race engineer since the Dutchman joined the team in 2016, with the two striking up one of the most successful partnerships seen in the sport.

But as the working relationship nears its end, Brown has delivered his latest ambition to see Lambiase at the team during 2027.

"I'm optimistic that we'll see him in papaya at some point next year," he told Sky F1.

[Article continues below]

Brown 'very excited' over McLaren future

McLaren has endured a challenging F1 campaign, with its form slipping of late as it has fallen behind in the pecking order after three wins in the mid-point of the season.

But as it seeks to get itself back in top form, Brown insisted McLaren is in a very healthy position when it comes to its entire racing operation, which will see it enter the Hypercar category in the World Endurance Championship next year.

"I'm very excited about everything that we've got going on at the factory, the men and women have been doing a great job," he said.

"We've made a lot of gains this year from what was a very tough start to the year, but I feel like we're on top of things now-ish.

"There's still a lot of work to do, the drivers are driving great, it's exciting times. We've got the World Endurance [Championship] going on, our IndyCar team.

"So it's good to have a papaya shirt to show up to work at the MTC every day."