Personal circumstances, new internal evaluations and a possible change on Max’s radio: the future of “GP” at Red Bull is no longer so certain.
What until just a few days ago seemed like an untouchable pillar of the Red Bull garage has suddenly become a question mark after today’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. According to Motorsport.com, Gianpiero Lambiase’s future for 2026 has not yet been defined, opening a scenario that until recently seemed unthinkable.
Max Verstappen’s historic race engineer might no longer be the four-time world champion’s “voice”, meaning that today’s near-comeback could end up being the last great achievement of this legendary duo.
The reasons: no crisis, but…
At the root of this possible earthquake are personal circumstances that will lead to decisive discussions during the winter break. Inside Red Bull, the key issue is clear: if a suitable replacement is found to manage Verstappen over the radio, and if a new technical structure shared by all parties is built, then the handover could actually take place.
This would not mean a definitive goodbye to Red Bull, however. Lambiase would remain within the team, taking on a more senior and strategic role, probably still trackside, but no longer in direct radio communication with Max.
It would therefore be a very delicate transition, marking the end of one of the most successful driver–engineer partnerships of the modern era — and perhaps the most iconic alongside Hamilton–Bono.
From 2021 to today, Verstappen and Lambiase have built a relationship based on absolute trust, ice-cold composure in decisive moments, and surgical management of the most tense races. Dismantling that balance would be a massive decision for Red Bull, especially on the eve of the new technical era in 2026.
If this scenario were to be confirmed, it would truly be the end of an era — not only from a technical point of view, but also a human one. Because behind every dominant champion, there is always a voice that guides them when everything can spiral out of control. And that voice, for Max Verstappen, may soon change.
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
