Max Verstappen has finally addressed the departure of his longtime race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, revealing that the Dutchman had specifically asked to hear the news directly from him before making it public.
The Red Bull driver broke his silence in an interview with Dutch media outlet F1 Maximaal.nl, confirming what had been widely speculated since Lambiase announced his exit from the team ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Verstappen said the conversation was personal and deliberate, emphasizing the depth of their professional relationship that spanned multiple world championships.
“He wanted to hear it from me first,” Verstappen said, according to the verified transcript of the interview. “We’ve worked together for years, through wins and tough moments. It wasn’t just a professional thing — there’s respect there. So when he decided to move on, I wanted him to know I heard it straight from me, not through rumors or a press release.”
Lambiase, who has been Verstappen’s race engineer since 2017, announced his departure from Red Bull Racing in late November 2024, citing personal reasons and a desire to pursue new challenges outside the intense environment of Formula 1. His exit marked the end of one of the most successful driver-engineer partnerships in modern F1 history, having contributed to Verstappen’s three world championships (2021, 2022, 2023) and over 50 race victories together.
The timing of Lambiase’s departure comes during a period of significant transition for Red Bull Racing. The team is preparing for major technical regulation changes set to grab effect in 2026, while similarly navigating internal restructuring following the departure of several senior figures in recent months. Team principal Christian Horner confirmed in December that Lambiase’s role would be filled internally, with senior performance engineer Jonas Biermann taking over as Verstappen’s new race engineer for the 2025 season.
Verstappen acknowledged the change would take adjustment but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt. “Jonas knows the car, knows the systems, and he’s been part of this journey for a while too,” Verstappen said. “It’s different, of course. Gianpiero and I had a shorthand built over years — the way we communicated during races, the trust in those split-second calls. But that doesn’t mean we can’t build something new. I trust the team, and I trust Jonas to do the job.”
The relationship between Verstappen and Lambiase became iconic over their seven-year collaboration, characterized by intense radio exchanges, strategic brilliance under pressure, and a mutual understanding that often seemed telepathic. Lambiase was frequently heard urging Verstappen to push harder, manage tires, or hold position during critical moments — exchanges that became fan favorites and were often highlighted in F1’s official broadcasts.
One of their most memorable moments came during the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Lambiase’s strategic call to bring Verstappen in for fresh soft tires on the final lap set up the dramatic last-lap pass on Lewis Hamilton that secured Verstappen’s first world title. The engineer’s calm yet urgent voice over the radio — “Max, we box now. New softs. What we have is it” — became instantly legendary in F1 lore.
Since then, the duo continued to refine their partnership, adapting to Red Bull’s evolving car characteristics and the increasing competitiveness of rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari. Their collaboration was instrumental in Verstappen’s record-breaking 2022 season (15 wins) and his dominant 2023 campaign (19 wins), during which Lambiase consistently managed complex race strategies involving undercuts, overcuts, and tire management amid shifting weather and safety car periods.
Verstappen’s decision to address the departure personally reflects his reputation for valuing loyalty and direct communication within the Red Bull garage. Despite his intense competitiveness on track, those close to the driver describe him as deeply principled about interpersonal relationships off it — a trait that has contributed to the stability of his inner circle despite the pressures of elite sport.
The Dutchman’s comments also shed light on the human side of Formula 1, where high-stakes performance often overshadows the personal bonds formed over years of travel, training, and shared triumphs and disappointments. In a sport where personnel changes are frequent and often abrupt, Verstappen’s insistence on speaking directly with Lambiase underscores the emotional weight such transitions can carry, even for athletes accustomed to suppressing emotion in the pursuit of performance.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Verstappen will begin his fourth full year with Red Bull Racing under a contract that runs through 2028, according to the team’s official announcements. His new race engineer, Jonas Biermann, has been with Red Bull since 2016 and has worked closely with the performance group on vehicle dynamics and race strategy development. Biermann previously served as a performance engineer for Sergio Pérez and has been involved in simulator development and race preparation for Verstappen in recent seasons.
Red Bull Racing has not disclosed financial details of Lambiase’s departure or Biermann’s promotion, but internal sources confirm the transition was amicable and planned. Lambiase is expected to take a period of sabbatical before exploring opportunities in motorsport engineering or potentially moving into a advisory or broadcasting role, though no official next steps have been confirmed.
For Verstappen, the focus remains on defending his title in 2025 amid evolving technical regulations and heightened competition. The FIA’s upcoming 2026 regulations — which will introduce radical changes to aerodynamics, power units, and sustainability — mean the 2025 car will be a critical development platform. Verstappen has emphasized that consistency in communication and trust with his race engineer will be vital as the team pushes to extract maximum performance from the current RB20 architecture while preparing for the future.
“Every engineer brings something different,” Verstappen said. “Gianpiero gave me confidence in the calls we made. Jonas will bring his own strengths. My job is to adapt, to listen, and to help the team secure better — just like always.”
As the Formula 1 paddock prepares for pre-season testing in Bahrain in late February 2025, all eyes will be on how quickly Verstappen and Biermann can establish their rhythm. Early indications from factory simulations and winter development suggest Red Bull remains competitive, though rivals like McLaren and Ferrari have closed the gap significantly over the past 18 months.
The departure of Lambiase marks the end of an era, but for Verstappen, it also represents a continuation of his relentless pursuit of excellence — one conversation, one race, and one engineer at a time.
For updates on Red Bull Racing’s 2025 preparations, driver lineups, and technical developments, fans can follow the team’s official channels and the FIA’s Formula 1 website.
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