Giampiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, spoke this way in 2023: “I fear the day when Max will no longer win.” But Verstappen replied, “It will all be normal.”
Max Verstappen and Giampiero Lambiase form one of the most famous duos in the motorsport world, especially in recent years. Their team radio exchanges are iconic: often positive, sometimes negative, such as during the Hungarian GP. Verstappen has vented on the radio multiple times, with Lambiase calling him “a child.” This exchange went viral and brought back the engineer’s words from last year.
Lambiase’s Words on His Relationship with Max
This is what Giampiero Lambiase said last year during a podcast organized by Red Bull:
Lambiase: “My biggest fear is when Max will no longer win. I mean, this year (2023) he’s winning every race, and you see how he’s treating me…”
Verstappen: “Oh, dear!”
Lambiase: “Really, it’s not something I’m looking forward to…”
Verstappen: “We’ve already experienced it! Anyway, I think it will be fine…”
This prediction by Super Max’s race engineer is almost uncanny: it’s only been three consecutive races without wins for the Dutchman, yet tensions seem to be rising…
Giampiero Lambiase’s Career
Giampiero Lambiase is one of the most renowned race engineers in Formula 1, primarily known for his crucial role as Max Verstappen’s race engineer at Oracle Red Bull Racing. His motorsport career began with Jordan Grand Prix, where he worked in the early 2000s, gaining experience in various technical roles. Over time, Lambiase continued working with the teams that evolved from Jordan, namely Midland, Spyker, and Force India.
In 2015, Lambiase was hired by Red Bull as the race engineer for Max Verstappen, now a close friend, with whom he has won 62 races. Today, the Italo-British engineer is the “voice” behind Verstappen’s three world titles: a role that has become increasingly vital, given the ever-more complex and frequent communications between engineer and driver.
Photo: Formula 1
