Verstappen calls blocking Lambiase’s McLaren move ‘idiotic’
Summary
Max Verstappen admitted blocking his long‑time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase’s move to McLaren would have been foolish, praising the engineer’s career step and confirming the departure won’t affect his own future at Red Bull.
Max Verstappen says he’d have been an “idiot” to try to stop his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase from leaving Red Bull for a senior role at McLaren. The duo have amassed 71 wins and four drivers’ championships – the second‑most successful driver‑engineer partnership in F1 history – but Lambiase is set to depart ahead of the 2028 season.
Why it matters:
- The driver‑engineer rapport underpins Red Bull’s race‑pace and development direction.
- Losing Lambiase could disrupt continuity in car set‑up and data analysis.
- Verstappen’s public support highlights a team‑first mindset that may smooth the transition.
The details:
- Lambiase accepted a senior engineering position at McLaren, moving from Milton Keynes to Woking.
- Verstappen previously said he would not drive with anyone else, but now acknowledges “times change.”
- The McLaren offer is described as “huge” and “a no‑brainer” for Lambiase, according to Verstappen.
- Verstappen stressed there are no hard feelings and that Red Bull will continue to “innovate and improve” with new personnel.
What's next:
- Red Bull will promote an internal engineer or recruit externally to fill the race‑engineering seat before the 2028 season.
- Verstappen confirmed the engineer’s exit has no impact on his long‑term commitment to Red Bull.
- Both parties expect a smooth handover, allowing the team to focus on upcoming car upgrades and the 2024 championship battle.
Original Article :https://racingnews365.com/max-verstappen-id-be-an-idiot-to-block-gianpiero-lambi...