Over the years, race engineers have often proven to be one of the most essential role-players of a Formula 1 race weekend. Furthermore, they manage a majority of the one-line communication with the driver, serving as a potentially game-changing third eye. The recently-concluded Belgian Grand Prix solidified the aforementioned theory through entertaining scenes featuring Max Verstappen.
Although the heated exchange between the two-time world champion and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested an impression that their relationship could well be hanging in balance, the reality is far from it. Following the highly entertaining race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull’s advisor Dr. Helmut Marko and team-principal Christian Horner acknowledged Verstappen’s healthy association with GP.
What’s more, Verstappen himself admitted that he was indeed trying to annoy his race engineer with the comments on team radio during Sunday’s main race. “I know the team doesn’t like to do another stop, but I like to mention it, so they might get a bit nervous,” he said.
GP 📻: “Slowly getting used to it, Max” 😆
GP versus Max on the radio in stressful situations will never get old 😆
We’re glad to see they found a happy understanding in the end! 😂#BelgianGP #F1 @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/Sz8aP727El
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2023
Hence, amidst such a healthy partnership evolving between the duo, how would Verstappen react if Gianpiero decides to leave Red Bull? Having worked together for almost a decade now, will Verstappen be able to keep going without the Italian’s voice during the race weekends?
Although the Dutchman refrained from revealing the actual response, he did openly confess that the situation would be far from ‘ideal’, suggesting Lambiase’s departure could have a significant impact on his on-track performance.
Max Verstappen responds to speculative F1 scenario
While this is only a hypothetical scenario, Verstappen was emphatic about the importance of GP’s presence at Red Bull. “I find it always a really important part of your performance – not only your race engineer but also everyone very close around you [like] your performance engineer and these kind of things,” the defending world champion said according to Motorsport.
Max and GP’s hilarious radios were unhinged 💀 pic.twitter.com/0RqyDCLYFF
— FormulaLucy | 🦖 (@LucyFormula) July 30, 2023
“Of course, over the years you build up much more of a relationship, you know each other better. “So yeah for sure, if he were to be removed or whatever that would definitely not be ideal at all,” he concluded.
Overall, Lambiase has been a part of Verstappen’s enthralling Formula 1 career since the Dutch Lion made his Red Bull debut in 2016. Hence, having stuck together for over eight years now, how much further can the dynamic duo go into their F1 journey? Will the Italian strategist continue to work with Verstappen until his retirement from the sport? Only time will tell.