🏎️ Max Verstappen on Lambiase Exit: “He’d Be Crazy Not to Take It”
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has reacted to the upcoming departure of his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, who is set to join McLaren in 2028.
In a candid revelation, Verstappen shared that Lambiase personally sought his approval before accepting the offer — and the Dutch driver fully supported the move.
💬 What Did Verstappen Say?
Speaking about their conversation, Verstappen explained:
- Lambiase discussed the offer and future prospects
- Verstappen encouraged him to accept it
- He said turning it down would be a “mistake”
👉 Verstappen emphasized that their partnership had already achieved everything possible, making the decision easier.
🤝 End of a Legendary Partnership
The Verstappen–Lambiase duo has been one of the most successful in Formula 1:
- Multiple championship-winning seasons
- Strong on-track communication and strategy
- Key role in Red Bull’s dominance era
👉 Lambiase’s exit marks the end of an iconic driver-engineer pairing at Red Bull Racing.
📉 Tough Start to 2026 Season
Verstappen’s comments come during a challenging phase:
- Only 12 points from first 3 races
- Currently 9th in driver standings
- Struggles adapting to new F1 regulations
👉 Changes in technical rules, especially hybrid systems, have impacted performance.
🔮 What Does This Mean for Verstappen?
- Contracted with Red Bull until 2028
- Growing speculation about his future
- Lambiase’s exit adds more uncertainty
👉 The coming seasons could be crucial in shaping Verstappen’s next career move.
Max Verstappen’s support for Lambiase shows mutual respect beyond racing. However, with Red Bull facing performance issues and key changes ahead, all eyes are now on how Verstappen navigates this transitional phase.
