Will Max leave F1? The confession from Jos Verstappen
The announcement of Giampiero Lambiase’s departure from Red Bull has attracted significant attention. Max Verstappen’s race engineer is set to leave the Austrian team in 2028 and join McLaren. It is an ambitious move that, at the same time, raises questions about what is currently happening in Milton Keynes, where the atmosphere is anything but calm.
For Max, the role of Lambiase has always been crucial. The Dutch driver has repeatedly stated that without his race engineer, he would consider hanging up his helmet. But will that really be the case?
That question was put to Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, who responded: “I think things have changed. Undoubtedly, after four championships, they have achieved a lot together, but Max’s future depends only on him. I think he will continue even without him.”
Speaking about Lambiase’s departure, Jos also admitted that Max had known about the situation for some time: “We had known for a while and we also knew when the team would make it official. We still have two seasons to share together. It is a great opportunity for him, so we understand it [referring to himself and Max],” he concluded.
In summary, Jos Verstappen’s comments suggest that Max is prepared to navigate the next chapter of his career with a new technical partner, despite his previous claims of loyalty to Gianpiero Lambiase. While the loss of “GP” marks a significant emotional and professional turning point, the drive for a fifth world title seems to outweigh the desire for an early exit. As McLaren strengthens its ranks with Red Bull’s finest, the 2026 and 2027 seasons will serve as a long goodbye for one of the most successful driver-engineer pairings in history. Ultimately, Max’s future will be dictated by the competitiveness of the machinery beneath him rather than who is speaking to him over the radio, ensuring that the Verstappen era in Formula 1 is far from its final lap.
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