Verstappen Confirms Lambiase Staying at Red Bull for 2026

Max Verstappen has shut down speculation surrounding GianPiero “GP” Lambiase’s future, confirming his race engineer will remain for the 2026 season. Despite rumors linking Lambiase to Aston Martin or Williams, Verstappen insists there was never any doubt about their partnership continuing.

Why it matters:

The driver-engineer relationship is critical in F1, and Verstappen-Lambiase is one of the sport’s most successful duos. With four titles already secured, maintaining this continuity is vital for Red Bull as they aim to bounce back from their 2025 title loss and tackle the new 2026 regulations.

The details:

• Rumors of Departure: Speculation arose late last year suggesting Lambiase was considering leaving due to the grueling 24-race calendar, with reports of talks with Aston Martin and Williams.
• Verstappen’s Stance: When asked by Sky Sports if there was ever a question about Lambiase leaving, Verstappen was unequivocal: “Not to me. He was always staying.”
• A Historic Bond: Teaming up in 2016 for Verstappen’s maiden Red Bull victory, the pair have been described as an “old married couple” by Christian Horner.
• 2025 Context: The confirmation follows a narrow 2025 title loss to Lando Norris. Verstappen praised Lambiase’s resilience, calling him a “proper example of someone that never gave up.”

Looking Ahead:

With their bond reaffirmed, the focus shifts to the 2026 season. As Red Bull develops its next challenger under new regulations, the Verstappen-Lambiase partnership will be the cornerstone of their efforts to reclaim the title. Their shared history suggests they remain a formidable force.