Max Verstappen Caught in Awkward Team Radio Moment After Red Bull Strategy Blunder at Mexican Grand Prix
The 2025 Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix was anything but quiet for Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team, as the reigning world champion found himself at the centre of a rather embarrassing radio mishap that left fans and pundits stunned. The incident, which unfolded mid-race, revealed a rare moment of confusion within the usually sharp Red Bull garage — and Verstappen, ever alert, was quick to call them out on it.
The race itself began in pure chaos. As the lights went out at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the top four drivers — Lando Norris, both Ferrari drivers, and Verstappen — went four wide into the tight Turn 1. Verstappen, known for his aggressive starts, tried to hold his ground but ran deep into the corner, cutting across the track to rejoin ahead. The move set the tone for a heated early battle.
Just a few laps later, on lap six, things got even more intense when Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tangled at Turn 4. The two champions made light contact, sending Hamilton momentarily off the track. The seven-time champion rejoined ahead but was later handed a 10-second time penalty for gaining an unfair advantage — a decision that reignited old tensions between the pair and sparked debate among fans.
As the dust settled and the race entered a more tactical phase, Red Bull’s strategy discussions began over the radio. That’s when things took a comical — and slightly awkward — turn. Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, affectionately known as “GP,” accidentally broadcasted an internal strategy conversation directly into Verstappen’s radio channel.
It began innocently enough with Lambiase asking, “What we doing? Staying out, Max,” before continuing his discussion, seemingly unaware that Verstappen could still hear him. The engineer then went on to openly question the team’s approach, saying:
“Yep, so are we on a one-stop or a two-stop at the moment? Right, okay…”
Those in the Red Bull garage could be heard faintly responding, but their side of the conversation didn’t make it through the radio feed. The paddock quickly realised that Lambiase had forgotten to release his radio button — essentially allowing Verstappen (and everyone listening to the F1 broadcast) to hear a private strategy debate unfold live.
After a few moments of silence, Verstappen finally cut in with a deadpan but clearly amused tone:
“I can hear everything!”
The moment was caught on the world feed, leaving commentators and fans laughing at the rare display of human error from one of F1’s most precise teams.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins, a former Aston Martin strategist, later explained that Lambiase had likely pressed the wrong button on his communication system — unintentionally sending his private talk directly to Verstappen. Collins noted that while such mistakes are harmless, they can be unsettling for a driver mid-race, especially when it sounds like the team isn’t fully confident in their plan.
“It’s not ideal for the driver to hear uncertainty from the pit wall,” Collins said. “You want clear, confident instructions, particularly when managing tyre life and pit strategy.”
Despite the mix-up, Verstappen maintained composure and continued to deliver a strong performance, though the incident quickly became a talking point across social media and F1 circles. Fans praised Verstappen’s cool-headed reaction and even joked that it was “the most relatable Red Bull moment of the season.”
While Verstappen’s radio incident took the award for the most awkward exchange of the Mexican GP, it wasn’t the only one to grab headlines. Mercedes driver George Russell and his race engineer Marcus Dudley provided what many called the most dramatic team radio moment of the day.
Russell, frustrated with team orders that prevented him from overtaking teammate Kimi Antonelli, vented his anger over the radio. “Marcus, I’ve got a ****ing car in my ****! A car much quicker than ours,” he shouted. “I’m trying to hold position. I’ve got much more pace than Kimi here, and we can fight for a podium. I’m happy to give the position back if we don’t achieve it.”
His furious rant came after being warned to manage his tyre temperatures while fending off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who was rapidly closing in. Russell’s emotional outburst highlighted the growing tension within Mercedes as both drivers push for podiums amid an inconsistent season.
Ultimately, the Mexican Grand Prix delivered more than just on-track action — it exposed the pressure and imperfections behind the radio chatter that F1 fans rarely get to witness. Verstappen’s accidental eavesdropping on his team’s uncertainty served as a humorous reminder that even the best teams can have their communication wires crossed. And for the viewers, it was yet another unforgettable piece of F1 drama in a season already full of surprises.
