Gianpiero Lambiase, the long-time race engineer of Max Verstappen, made headlines once again—not only for helping guide the Dutch driver to an unexpected pole position at Silverstone, but also for the pointed message he delivered over the team radio, one that appeared to echo a controversial and iconic moment in recent Formula 1 history.
A Stunning Pole Lap from Max Verstappen
At the beginning of the qualifying session for the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, few considered Max Verstappen the outright favorite for pole position. However, as Formula 1 fans have learned time and time again, you can never count out the reigning World Champion. With a spectacular final lap in Q3, Verstappen stunned both his rivals and spectators, claiming pole with the kind of brilliance that only the very best in the sport can deliver. His lap is already being hailed as one of the standout moments of the season.
The ‘Revenge’ Team Radio from Gianpiero Lambiase
Back on the Red Bull Racing pit wall after missing the previous Grand Prix due to personal reasons, Gianpiero Lambiase returned to his usual role as Verstappen’s voice in his ear. And following Verstappen’s pole-clinching performance, Lambiase’s team radio message was as concise as it was loaded with meaning: “You went motor racing Max, that’s pole position.”
While the words might sound innocuous to the casual listener, seasoned Formula 1 followers immediately picked up on the hidden message. The phrase “you went motor racing” clearly referenced one of the most controversial chapters in modern F1 history and seemed to carry a subtle jab aimed at Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff—who has recently admitted to having discussions with Verstappen about a possible future collaboration.
What Was the Reference?
To understand the full context, we must go back more than three years to the dramatic and controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—the race that ultimately secured Max Verstappen’s first Formula 1 World Championship. During the chaos of the final laps, a heated radio exchange occurred between Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and then-race director Michael Masi. Wolff protested the handling of the lapped cars situation, exclaiming, “No Michael, no Michael, no! This is not right!”
In response, Michael Masi firmly stated, “Toto, it’s called motor racing,” a line that has since become infamous. That reply was, in turn, a reflection of what Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley had radioed earlier: “You just need to let the cars unlap themselves and then we’ll have a motor race.”
So when Gianpiero Lambiase said “You went motor racing, Max,” after securing pole at Silverstone, it wasn’t just a congratulatory comment—it was a nod to that historic 2021 finale and, perhaps, a cheeky reminder to Wolff of how that season ended.
Verstappen’s Response: A Laugh and a Nod
Max Verstappen, clearly recognizing the reference himself, burst into laughter and replied over the radio with a joyful, “Ah ah ah, yes!”—a moment that quickly went viral among Formula 1 fans on social media. The exchange not only highlighted the camaraderie between Verstappen and his engineer but also reignited memories of one of F1’s most debated moments.
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