Verstappen's engineer Lambiase staying put despite rumors
Despite speculation following the Abu Dhabi finale, Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero 'GP' Lambiase will remain in his role for 2026. The pair, one of F1's most successful driver-engineer duos, will continue their partnership as Red Bull undergoes significant management changes.
Max Verstappen's trusted race engineer, Gianpiero 'GP' Lambiase, will remain in his role for the 2026 season, dispelling rumors of a split after the dramatic title finale in Abu Dhabi. The pair, who have secured four world championships and 71 Grand Prix victories together, will continue their partnership amidst a period of major organizational change at Red Bull Racing.
Why it matters:
In a team undergoing a radical transformation with the departures of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, continuity for Verstappen is paramount. Lambiase is not just a technical strategist but a crucial human and psychological anchor for the four-time champion, making his retention a key stability factor for the driver and the team's future performance.
The details:
- Speculation about Lambiase's future arose after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fueled by his emotional radio message and reports of a desire for a reduced travel schedule for family reasons in 2026.
- However, the core partnership remains intact. Verstappen himself emphasized Lambiase's importance immediately after the race, stating, "I'm just proud to work with someone who is so good."
- While some reports suggested Lambiase could be promoted within the team's engineering structure—a move hinted at by his absence from the pit wall at races in Austria and Belgium in 2025—the primary working relationship with Verstappen is set to continue.
- The duo's dynamic, often described as resembling an "old married couple" due to their candid and sometimes terse radio exchanges, has become a defining feature of Verstappen's success and a beloved part of modern F1 folklore.
Looking ahead:
With Red Bull's leadership landscape fundamentally altered, maintaining the proven and highly successful Verstappen-Lambiase partnership provides essential stability. As the team rebuilds its management structure, this continuity in the driver's cockpit and engineering booth will be a critical foundation for its 2026 championship campaign.