P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen’s surprising reaction to loss of Red Bull F1 ally
Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull for McLaren as their chief racing officer, a decision that surprised many.
Despite this move, Lambiase will stay with Verstappen at Red Bull until 2028, indicating a continued partnership.
There have been speculations that McLaren’s move to acquire Lambiase could be a strategic one to potentially lure Verstappen to their team in the future.
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull has raised questions as the team has struggled to provide him with a winning car in 2026.
However, sources close to Verstappen have revealed that he supported Lambiase’s decision and had no issues with it, emphasizing their strong bond.
As Red Bull prepares to find a replacement for Lambiase, Jos Verstappen has stressed the importance of selecting the right person to work with his son.
Verstappen and Lambiase have had a successful partnership, winning multiple championships together, and their close friendship off-track has led to speculation about a potential future collaboration with McLaren.
