Red Bull announce Max Verstappen absence at Austrian GP following D…read more
Max Verstappen is set to face a significant challenge at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he’ll be without the close support of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, often referred to as “GP”. The news, first reported by Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, confirms that Lambiase will not be present at this weekend’s race in Spielberg – a notable absence that could impact Verstappen’s performance, given the engineer’s vital role in his success over the past several seasons.
Lambiase and Verstappen have developed a well-known and successful working relationship over the years. Their dynamic has become one of the most stable and productive driver-engineer pairings on the Formula 1 grid. GP’s calm demeanor and strategic insight have been pivotal in guiding Verstappen through many crucial race moments, from high-pressure qualifying laps to race-day decision-making on strategy and tire management. His absence at Red Bull’s home race comes as a surprising and potentially disruptive development in Verstappen’s 2025 campaign.
Taking over Lambiase’s responsibilities on the race weekend will be Simon Rennie, a seasoned British engineer who brings a wealth of Formula 1 experience. Rennie is no stranger to the Red Bull garage, having previously worked with former team drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon. While Rennie’s experience and technical know-how are not in question, adapting to Verstappen’s communication style and driving nuances in real time could present a steep challenge.
This unexpected shift in Verstappen’s engineering team arrives at a crucial moment in the season. The Austrian Grand Prix marks the 11th round of the championship, and with competition tightening across the grid, particularly from rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, any disruption in the Red Bull camp could prove costly. Verstappen had been looking forward to leveraging the passionate support of the home crowd at the Red Bull Ring to further strengthen his title bid. However, the absence of such a key team member could complicate that plan.
While the reason behind Lambiase’s absence remains unconfirmed publicly, speculation suggests it may be due to personal or logistical reasons. Regardless, Verstappen will need to adjust quickly to the change, relying on his experience, adaptability, and the competence of Rennie to maintain his competitive edge.
This development also comes amid wider headlines in Formula 1, including growing concerns from other top drivers like Lewis Hamilton, who recently voiced frustrations about feeling unprotected by his team. As such, all eyes will be on how Verstappen and Red Bull navigate this temporary reshuffle and whether it will affect their dominance as the season progresses.
