Max Verstappen has addressed the departure of his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase from Red Bull Racing, according to reporting published by GP Today. The three-time world champion suggested underlying factors behind Lambiase’s decision to leave the team.
Details of Verstappen’s specific comments and the reasons he identified remain limited in publicly available reporting. The full scope of Lambiase’s departure — including timing and his next destination — has not been disclosed through accessible sources.
Lambiase’s Role at Red Bull
Lambiase has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman joined Red Bull Racing’s senior team in 2016. The partnership has delivered three consecutive drivers’ championships from 2021 through 2023, and multiple constructors’ titles. Their radio exchanges during races have become a defining feature of Red Bull’s recent dominance, characterized by Lambiase’s measured delivery and technical precision during high-pressure situations.
The engineer previously worked with other Red Bull drivers before being paired with Verstappen. His technical background and ability to manage race strategy under changing conditions have been credited as key factors in Red Bull’s operational success during the ground-effect era that began in 2022.
Impact on Red Bull’s 2026 Campaign
Any change to the Verstappen-Lambiase partnership carries significance for Red Bull as the team navigates the 2026 season under new technical regulations. The major rules overhaul introduced this year — featuring revised power units with increased electrical output and active aerodynamics — has created fresh engineering challenges across the grid.
Red Bull Racing, now led by team principal Laurent Mekies, fields Verstappen alongside Yuki Tsunoda in 2026. The team’s ability to adapt to the regulatory reset while managing personnel transitions will shape its competitive position through the season.
Further details on Lambiase’s departure and Verstappen’s complete remarks are expected to emerge as official announcements are made. Red Bull’s next competitive outing is the upcoming race weekend, where any changes to the engineering lineup may become clearer.