Verstappen dealt absence blow at Austrian Grand Prix due to… read more
Max Verstappen will be facing a significant challenge at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, as he prepares to race without the support of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, commonly known as GP. The Dutch driver had been looking forward to the morale boost of racing in front of Red Bull’s home crowd at Spielberg, but his weekend will now unfold under unfamiliar circumstances.
According to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, this will mark the first time Verstappen races at the Red Bull Ring without GP by his side. Lambiase, who has worked closely with Verstappen for years and played a crucial role in his success, will miss the 11th round of the 2025 season due to undisclosed personal reasons. While he won’t be present at the circuit, his role will temporarily be filled by Simon Rennie, a seasoned British engineer.
Rennie is no stranger to Red Bull Racing. He previously served as a race engineer to former Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon. After Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, Rennie moved into a factory-based position at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, stepping back from direct race weekend involvement. However, he will return to the pit wall this weekend to assist Verstappen in Austria.
Race engineers play a central role in a driver’s performance during a Grand Prix weekend. They serve as the main channel of communication between the driver and the team throughout practice, qualifying, and the race. Their responsibilities include relaying strategy updates, helping the driver manage tyres and fuel, and making real-time decisions that can affect race outcomes. In Verstappen’s case, GP also acts as a calming voice during heated radio exchanges, guiding the often-intense Dutchman through challenging moments.
The Verstappen-Lambiase partnership has become one of the most iconic driver-engineer duos in modern Formula 1. Together, they have won four Drivers’ Championships and helped Red Bull secure two Constructors’ titles. Their bond, although occasionally strained in the heat of competition, has proven to be one of the most effective in the sport. GP’s ability to manage Verstappen’s emotions and extract peak performance from the driver has been a defining factor in Red Bull’s recent dominance.
While Lambiase is expected to return for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, his absence in Austria adds a layer of uncertainty to Verstappen’s weekend. The defending champion will have to quickly adapt to Rennie’s style of communication and race-day decision-making. Such transitions aren’t always seamless; as seen with other top drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, a new voice in the driver’s ear can take time to get used to.
After finishing second in Canada, Verstappen will be eager to reclaim the top step of the podium at Red Bull’s home race. Whether he can do that without his trusted engineer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this weekend’s race will test Verstappen’s adaptability and trust in the broader Red Bull team.
