Gianpiero Lambiase Reveals What Prevented Max Verstappen from ‘Eating Him Alive’ at Red Bull
Max Verstappen’s F1 race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, has opened up about the unique challenges—and rewards—of working alongside one of the sport’s most formidable talents. Lambiase, who has built a two-decade-long career in Formula 1, credits one key factor for allowing him to establish a strong working relationship with the Dutch superstar without being overwhelmed.
Lambiase began his career in Formula 1 with Jordan, a team that would later transform into Midland, Spyker, and Force India. Over the years, he accumulated a wealth of experience, eventually serving as Giancarlo Fisichella’s performance engineer in 2008 at Force India. His extensive knowledge and experience eventually led him to Red Bull in 2015, initially working as the race engineer for Daniil Kvyat. A year later, he was tasked with working alongside Verstappen when the young Dutch driver joined the Red Bull junior program, setting the stage for one of the most intense yet rewarding professional relationships in modern Formula 1.
Lambiase’s reflections are featured in Sky Sports F1 presenter Simon Lazenby’s upcoming book, Pressure, in which the engineer recounts his experiences across various teams and shares insights into the world of Formula 1 race engineering.
In an extract from the book, Lambiase describes his first impressions of Verstappen, emphasizing the Dutchman’s remarkable talent and his ability to process information at an extraordinary speed. “What stood out immediately was the capacity this kid had. He took on absolutely everything. And I’m not just blowing smoke up his arse,” Lambiase wrote.
He continued by comparing Verstappen’s ability to master complex instructions under pressure to playing a video game. During the initial days in the simulator, Lambiase had to relay intricate instructions on how to handle potential system failures while the driver maintained near-perfect control of the car. “It was like playing a PlayStation for him,” he noted. “Some of the instructions we were giving him for if a particular system goes down were pretty complex, especially whilst you are still trying to drive the car at 99 or 100 per cent on track, and he didn’t miss a beat.”
It was these early experiences that helped Lambiase gauge the sheer depth of Verstappen’s skill and adaptability. Importantly, he credits his own experience as a race engineer as the reason he could navigate this high-pressure environment. “The fact that I was quite an experienced engineer at the time is what stood me in good stead to build a relationship with him, because I think if I had been in my first or second year of race engineering, he would have eaten me alive,” Lambiase admitted.
The engineer’s insights reveal not only the intensity of working with a prodigious talent like Verstappen but also the importance of experience, confidence, and clear communication in managing the pressures of Formula 1. While Verstappen’s rapid learning curve and high standards could easily intimidate a less seasoned engineer, Lambiase’s two decades in the sport provided him with the foundation to collaborate effectively with the driver, earning both his respect and trust.
During the recent winter break, rumors circulated linking Lambiase to rival F1 teams such as Williams and Aston Martin. Despite these reports, it was confirmed that he would remain at Red Bull, continuing his role as head of racing and as Verstappen’s race engineer for the 2026 season. This decision underscores the strong professional bond that has developed between the engineer and the driver over the years, and the value Red Bull places on continuity within its team structure.
Lambiase’s reflections provide a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the dynamics between a top F1 driver and his engineer. They highlight how a combination of raw talent, experience, and mutual respect can allow both parties to thrive under the intense pressures of the sport, turning potential challenges into a winning partnership. For Verstappen, having an experienced and trusted engineer like Lambiase by his side has been instrumental in translating his extraordinary abilities on the simulator and the track into consistent championship performances.
As the 2026 season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this continuing collaboration between Verstappen and Lambiase shapes Red Bull’s strategy and results, and whether their combined expertise can keep the team at the forefront of Formula 1 competition.
