Speculation surrounding the future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing has intensified, with a bold prediction from fellow Dutchman Giedo van der Garde suggesting the reigning champion could depart the team before his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
Verstappen, now 28 and a four-time world champion, has endured a surprisingly difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season. After years of dominance, the Dutch driver finds himself languishing down in ninth place in the standings, struggling to extract performance under the sport’s sweeping new technical regulations. Those rule changes, which have reshaped car design and performance characteristics across the grid, are understood to be a major source of frustration for Verstappen, who has previously voiced his dissatisfaction with the direction Formula 1 has taken.
The situation at Red Bull has only added to the uncertainty. The Milton Keynes-based outfit has undergone a period of significant upheaval, with several high-profile departures shaking the team’s once-stable structure. Figures such as Christian Horner and legendary designer Adrian Newey have been linked with moves away, while Lambiase’s own future has come under the spotlight following reports of a long-term switch to McLaren.
According to van der Garde, Lambiase’s potential move represents a significant career opportunity. Speaking to a Dutch motorsport publication, the former F1 driver emphasized that joining a top rival like McLaren — particularly with the prospect of stepping into a leadership role — is a chance that cannot be ignored. He also noted that Lambiase has earned widespread respect within the paddock, including from Verstappen’s own camp, for his crucial role in the driver’s success over recent years.
Despite Lambiase’s reported agreement not beginning until 2028, his situation has sparked an intriguing debate about the order in which key figures might leave Red Bull. While some expect the engineer’s eventual departure to mark the end of an era, van der Garde believes Verstappen himself could make the first move.
Central to this theory is a performance-related exit clause believed to exist in Verstappen’s current contract. Reports indicate that the clause could be activated later this year if the Dutchman fails to remain within the top two of the championship standings. Given his current position, that scenario appears increasingly likely, opening the door for a potential early exit.
Van der Garde did not hold back in his assessment of Red Bull’s current situation, suggesting that the team is no longer operating at the level required to support a driver of Verstappen’s calibre. In his view, the reigning champion deserves machinery capable of consistently fighting for victories and titles — something that has not been evident so far this season.
As a result, he predicts that Verstappen could choose to walk away from Red Bull at the end of the campaign, rather than wait for Lambiase’s longer-term departure. Such a move would send shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, potentially triggering a major reshuffle among the sport’s top teams.
For now, Verstappen’s immediate focus remains on improving his fortunes on track. However, with uncertainty growing both around his performance and Red Bull’s internal stability, the possibility of a high-profile split is becoming harder to dismiss. If van der Garde’s prediction proves accurate, the 2026 season could mark the beginning of a dramatic new chapter in Verstappen’s already remarkable career.
