Max Verstappen comments on Ganpiero Lambiase’s departure: "He’d be crazy to turn it down"

As Red Bull undergoes a major restructuring, another key figure is set to leave the team: Gianpiero Lambiase. It's a significant departure, one that Max Verstappen greets with a mix of clarity… and his own unique philosophy.

It's an announcement that raised a few eyebrows in the paddock: Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's race engineer, will join McLaren by 2028. A date still far off, certainly, but one that already marks the planned end of one of the strongest duos on the grid.

Having joined Red Bull in 2015, Lambiase was quickly paired with Verstappen upon his promotion in 2016—culminating in an immediate victory in Barcelona. Since then, the two men have racked up successes: four world titles, 71 victories, and a radio rapport that has become almost legendary.

Because a race engineer is not just a voice in the earpiece. He is a metronome, a safety net, sometimes even a confidant—in short, a key component in the intricate mechanics of a Grand Prix weekend.

Verstappen, pragmatic to the end

Faced with this announcement, Max Verstappen didn't act surprised. Better yet: he himself encouraged Lambiase to accept McLaren's offer. “He told me about the offer he'd received. I told him, ‘You'd be crazy to turn it down.'”

The tone is direct, no-nonsense—typical Verstappen. The Dutchman adopts a kind of detachment, almost old-school: when a great opportunity arises, you seize it, period. “We've already accomplished everything together. And now he's received a fantastic offer, especially for his family and his security.”

Lambiase reportedly even asked his driver for a sort of “blessing.” An almost touching scene in a world where personal interests often take precedence over feelings. Verstappen, for his part, didn't hesitate for long.

Red Bull weakened, McLaren opportunistic

This transfer is part of a broader trend. In recent months, McLaren has methodically poached from Red Bull's ranks: Rob Marshall, Will Courtenay… and now Lambiase.

At the same time, the Austrian team has seen several key figures leave, including Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. This gradual exodus is now forcing Red Bull to rethink its organization—as evidenced by its recent technical restructuring.

In other words, McLaren is building while Red Bull is patching things up. It's an old story in Formula 1.

What impact will this have on Verstappen's future?

Naturally, the question arises. With the departure of his engineer—and more broadly, the erosion of his long-standing environment—Max Verstappen's future is a mystery.

The four-time world champion has never hidden his reservations about the current regulations. Between fatigue, a desire to move on (particularly to GT racing), and internal upheavals at Red Bull, the idea of a break—or even a departure—has already been raised.

His contract runs through 2028. A coincidence? Perhaps. Or perhaps not.

A tendency toward continuity… for now

On the Verstappen side, they're playing it by ear. Jos Verstappen confirmed it: Lambiase's decision was known and supported internally. “It's a tremendous opportunity for him. We encouraged him to seize it.”

As for Max, the trend remains toward continuity. “Things have changed… but I think he'll continue.” In short: nothing is set in stone, but there's no rush either.

Between now and 2028, Verstappen and Lambiase still have time ahead of them. Enough to add a few more chapters to an already historic partnership. But the countdown has begun. And in a sport where everything moves very fast, even the strongest stories eventually become a thing of the past.

It remains to be seen whether Red Bull will be able to turn the page as cleanly as it wrote it. And that's another matter entirely.