Max Verstappen dealing with main Red Bull change as Gianpiero Lambiase’s tears defined
Max Verstappen could face a major change at Red Bull for the 2026 season, with his race-engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in tears on the pit wall after the Abu Dhabi race
Gianpiero Lambiase, the long-standing race engineer for Max Verstappen, is reportedly considering a change from his current role to another trackside position within the Red Bull F1 team.
Lambiase has been the voice in Verstappen’s ear from the pit wall since the Dutchman was promoted to the Red Bull senior team in early 2016. Their partnership has become one of F1’s most iconic driver-engineer duos, echoing the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Peter Bonnington at Mercedes.
However, this partnership could come to an end in 2026. This season, Lambiase was absent from races in Austria and Belgium due to personal reasons, which were also tied to his emotional reaction on the Red Bull pit wall after Verstappen finished second in the World Championship, despite his victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It’s reported by Motorsport.com that Lambiase’s role within the Red Bull team for 2026 has not yet been confirmed. The 45-year-old may take on a different trackside role if Laurent Mekies can find a new race engineer with who Verstappen feels comfortable working under the new technical regulations.
Following the race in Abu Dhabi, Lambiase was seen tearfully clutching his head in his hands on the Red Bull pit wall. Verstappen addressed his colleague’s emotional state in the post-race press conference, expressing empathy for his close friend.
“It’s been an emotional year,” the four-time world champion said. “Forget about the results this year, and I don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough. But I’m very happy to be able to work with someone that passionate.
“Of course, he is my race engineer, but I see him as my friend. We have lived through so many emotional things together and fantastic achievements. I’m sure he was a bit emotional after the flag.
“So, I’m really looking forward to leaving here and catching up with him because it’s not been easy at times for him. I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone that good. A proper example of someone that never gave up this season, even through the difficult times.”
Lambiase isn’t the only crucial member of Verstappen’s inner circle whose future hangs in the balance following the Abu Dhabi GP. Helmut Marko could reportedly leave the team and bow out of the sport entirely at the year’s end, despite being tied to a deal running through to the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
“Will you see me again next year? Well, we’ll have internal discussions, and we’re not in a hurry,” he revealed to De Telegraaf. “During the years of team founder Dietrich Mateschitz, I didn’t even have a contract. It’s important to me that I feel comfortable.”
