A look back at Verstappen and Lambiase's most fiery radio exchanges
As Gianpiero Lambiase prepares to leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028, we revisit the intense but effective radio exchanges that defined his decade-long partnership with Max Verstappen, showcasing the raw communication behind four world championships.
Max Verstappen's long-time race engineer, Gianpiero 'GP' Lambiase, is set to join McLaren in 2028, marking the potential end of one of Formula 1's most successful and combustible driver-engineer pairings. Over a decade, their intense radio communications—often laced with frustration and blunt honesty—have become a hallmark of Verstappen's relentless pursuit of perfection, revealing a partnership built on mutual respect forged in high-pressure moments.
Why it matters:
Lambiase has been a foundational pillar of Verstappen's success, a steadying hand through four world championships and 71 wins. His impending departure amplifies existing speculation about Verstappen's own long-term future at Red Bull. Their exchanges showcase the raw, unfiltered dynamics required to operate at the pinnacle of the sport, where milliseconds and clear communication are everything.
The Details:
- 2022 Spanish GP (DRS Malfunction): A failing DRS system during the race led to a furious, expletive-filled rant from Verstappen over the radio. Lambiase remained composed, delivering calm, technical instructions ("try pressing the DRS after the kerbing") until the issue was resolved, which allowed Verstappen to win the race.
- 2022 Brazilian GP (Team Orders Dispute): Already champion, Verstappen blatantly refused multiple orders from Lambiase to let teammate Sergio Perez back through for championship position, snapping, "I gave my reasons and I stand by it." The incident hinted at deep-seated tensions within the team.
- 2023 Belgian GP (Qualifying Critique): After barely scraping into Q3, Verstappen criticized the team's "s*** execution." Lambiase fired back with a detailed defense of the strategy, asking Verstappen to dictate the plan for the next session. Verstappen took pole and later apologized.
- 2024 Hungarian GP (Strategy Frustration): A difficult race saw Verstappen blame the team for a "completely f***ed" strategy. When Lambiase later cautioned about tire wear, Verstappen erupted again. After a collision with Lewis Hamilton, Lambiase shut down further radio debate, calling it "childish."
- 2026 Chinese GP (Recent Tensions): Struggling with car issues, Verstappen dismissed Lambiase's feedback. The engineer reminded him, "I am supposed to be on your side, Max... I’m trying to give you some help," highlighting how their tested dynamic persists.
What's next:
The partnership continues for now, but Lambiase's 2028 move to McLaren as Chief Racing Officer introduces a significant timeline. His departure will remove a key, trusted figure from Verstappen's side of the garage, testing the driver's adaptability. While their fiery exchanges are legendary, they underscore a brutally effective working relationship that Red Bull must now plan to replace.