Max Verstappen is renowned for his directness and a no-frills attitude in handling various matters. Consequently, Gianpiero Lambiase, the race engineer for the Dutchman, frequently encounters challenging scenarios when working with the Red Bull driver.
In response to Blick’s inquiry about honesty and straightforwardness in Formula 1, the three-time world champion expressed, “The strong collaboration with my race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and key figures like Dr. Marko is founded on mutual respect and trust.” Subsequently, Verstappen addressed the importance of sharing candid truths, even in delicate situations.
In responding to the question, Verstappen emphasized the importance of straightforwardness, stating, “Absolutely.
That’s what I demand every day at the race track. And that’s how I am too. What is good is good. And what is bad is bad. This needs to be said straight away and is also part of the recipe for success.” Despite Verstappen’s occasional emotional outbursts, his relationship with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is characterized by trust and mutual understanding.
During the 2023 US GP in Austin, Verstappen openly criticized his RB-19’s brakes, showcasing his candid nature. Similar instances occurred in the 2022 GP, where he expressed frustration during a slow pit stop. Despite these moments, Lambiase manages to handle Verstappen’s emotions, showcasing their dynamic partnership.
Gianpiero Lambiase’s relationship with Max Verstappen is described as strong, amicable, and honest. Verstappen trusts Lambiase, and the race engineer has the ability to navigate and control Verstappen’s occasional outbursts.
Their close bond is evident, with team principal Christian Horner humorously likening them to an old married couple. Lambiase himself has expressed his regard for Verstappen as a “little brother” on The Talking Bull show.
However, Verstappen consistently expresses his emotions openly on the radio. An illustrative instance occurred during the 2023 Belgian GP qualification when he voiced dissatisfaction with his Q2 performance, bluntly stating, “I don’t give a fu*k about P10.” Surprisingly, after securing P1 in the session, Verstappen promptly apologized to Lambiase for his earlier outburst.
Despite this, Verstappen doesn’t shy away from expressing his emotions on the radio, as evidenced by the 2023 Belgian GP qualification. Unhappy with his Q2 performance, he candidly ranted at Lambiase, stating, “I don’t give a fu*k about P10.
” However, upon finishing the session in P1, Verstappen swiftly apologized to Lambiase for his earlier outburst.
