Max Verstappen’s Race Engineer Future Settled Amid Departure Speculation
Speculation surrounding the future of Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has been put to rest, with fresh reports confirming that the key Red Bull figure will remain with the team beyond the looming regulation overhaul in Formula 1.
Lambiase has become one of the most recognisable voices on the F1 grid, renowned for his direct, sometimes blunt radio exchanges with Verstappen during races. Far more than just a familiar voice, the Italian-British engineer has grown into a central pillar of Verstappen’s success, forming one of the most effective driver–engineer partnerships in modern Formula 1.
The pair have worked together since Verstappen’s dramatic and historic Red Bull debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, where the Dutchman secured his first Grand Prix victory at just 18 years old. Since then, Lambiase has remained at Verstappen’s side through every major milestone of his Red Bull career, including the dominant championship run that delivered four consecutive world titles between 2022 and 2025.
In an era where Red Bull has seen several senior figures depart for rival teams, Lambiase’s loyalty has stood out. Former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, legendary technical chief Adrian Newey and strategy boss Will Courtenay have all been tempted away in recent seasons as competitors sought to replicate Red Bull’s success. This wave of exits naturally raised concerns that Verstappen’s trusted race engineer could be next.
Those concerns intensified amid widespread rumours that both Williams and Aston Martin were preparing lucrative offers to lure Lambiase into senior leadership roles ahead of the major 2026 regulation reset. With teams placing huge emphasis on stability and experience going into a new technical era, Lambiase’s name quickly emerged as a prime target.
Fuel was added to the speculation during the final race weekend of the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi. On the cooldown lap, Lambiase made a pointed radio comment to Verstappen, declaring: “We showed them one final time who’s boss.” The remark was interpreted by many as a possible farewell message, sparking fresh talk that the engineer might be preparing to move on from Red Bull.
However, those rumours now appear to have been firmly dismissed.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Lambiase is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2027 and will remain in his current role through the 2026 season. This confirmation represents a significant boost for Red Bull as it attempts to reassert itself at the top of Formula 1 following increased competition at the sharp end of the grid.
Retaining Lambiase is seen as particularly crucial for Verstappen, who has repeatedly emphasised the importance of trust and continuity within his race team. As Formula 1 prepares for sweeping technical and sporting regulation changes in 2026, preserving established working relationships could prove decisive in the early stages of the new era.
Red Bull faces an especially challenging transition, as it prepares to introduce its own power units for the first time. In partnership with Ford, the team will debut a new in-house engine programme in 2026, marking a major strategic shift and a return to the sport for the American manufacturer after a long absence.
With so many unknowns surrounding the new regulations, Red Bull’s decision to maintain as much stability as possible around Verstappen is viewed as a calculated and necessary move. Lambiase’s deep understanding of Verstappen’s driving style, communication preferences and race management approach gives the team a vital advantage as it adapts to new cars, new engines and a reshuffled competitive order.
Attention now turns to the launch of Red Bull’s 2026 campaign. Both Red Bull Racing and sister team Racing Bulls are set to unveil the liveries for their new challengers in Detroit during the second week of January. The first on-track test of the new era will follow shortly after, with pre-season running scheduled to begin in Barcelona on January 26.
As the countdown to 2026 continues, Red Bull will take comfort in knowing that one of its most valuable assets — and one of Verstappen’s closest allies — will remain firmly in place as the team plots its next chapter in Formula 1 history.
