JUST IN: Verstappen and Red Bull Confirm Decision on Race En…

Verstappen and Red Bull Confirm Decision on Race Engineer Split as Lambiase Takes on New Role

Red Bull has officially confirmed whether Max Verstappen will continue working with his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, amid his newly assigned responsibilities for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite Lambiase’s promotion within the team, he will maintain his partnership with the reigning world champion.

Lambiase’s Journey with Red Bull

Gianpiero Lambiase, an Italian-British engineer, has been a key figure in Red Bull Racing since 2015. Initially, he worked as Daniil Kvyat’s race engineer before being paired with Verstappen in 2016 when the Dutch driver replaced Kvyat at the Spanish Grand Prix. Since then, Lambiase has played an integral role in Verstappen’s career, guiding him through his four consecutive world championship victories from 2021 to 2024.

Over the years, the duo has built a strong professional relationship, though their on-track interactions are often intense. Lambiase is known for his no-nonsense approach, and Verstappen is equally outspoken, leading to some fiery exchanges over team radio. One of their most notable clashes occurred during the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Verstappen directed an expletive-laden outburst at Lambiase and the Red Bull team. However, despite these heated moments, their working dynamic remains highly effective, contributing to Verstappen’s sustained dominance in the sport.

Lambiase’s New Role at Red Bull

In addition to his duties as Verstappen’s race engineer, Lambiase was appointed as Red Bull’s head of race engineering in 2022. Now, Red Bull has expanded his responsibilities further by naming him as their head of racing for the 2025 season. This new role will see Lambiase oversee Red Bull’s entire race operation, including the team responsible for building the cars, as well as leading the strategy group.

Despite these added responsibilities, Lambiase will not part ways with Verstappen. He will continue his role as Verstappen’s race engineer, albeit with a broader focus within the organization. His dual responsibilities mean he will now have a more significant influence on Red Bull’s overall performance, extending beyond just Verstappen’s race weekends.

Red Bull’s Leadership Structure

Lambiase’s promotion places him just below two key figures within Red Bull’s hierarchy: team principal Christian Horner and technical director Pierre Wache. This shift highlights the trust Red Bull has in Lambiase’s expertise and leadership abilities. His expanded role is expected to bring further strategic improvements to the team as they aim to maintain their dominance in Formula 1.

Even with his new position, Red Bull remains confident that Lambiase can balance his commitments effectively. His continued involvement with Verstappen ensures that their well-established working relationship remains intact, which will be crucial as Red Bull seeks to extend their championship-winning streak into 2025 and beyond.

While some speculated that Verstappen and Lambiase might split due to the latter’s growing responsibilities, Red Bull has put those rumors to rest. Instead, Lambiase’s influence within the team will only increase, solidifying his role as one of the most important figures in Red Bull’s pursuit of further success in Formula 1.