Verstappen: “Lambiase wanted my permission to accept the McLaren offer, I told him it would have been stupid to say no”

The Dutch driver revealed that his race engineer wanted his ‘blessing’

An evening at the theatre with Verstappen

Max Verstappen spent an evening at the theatre in Amsterdam as a guest of ViaPlay, with the full conversation set to be broadcast today at 20:00. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has already provided a preview of the key topics discussed by the four-time Formula 1 world champion, including some headline-grabbing remarks on current F1 matters. Among the most notable points were Max Verstappen’s comments on the agreement between Gianpiero Lambiase and McLaren, as well as his critical view of the direction Formula 1 is taking, especially with regard to the upcoming 2026 regulations.

Lambiase-McLaren

“He told me about the kind of offer he received. I told him: ‘you would be stupid not to accept’. We have already achieved everything together. And the offer is really fantastic. He asked me for some sort of permission and I told him he had to do it 100%. He wanted to hear it from me.”

The 2026 Formula 1 regulations

“The fact that we are having discussions is already a step forward. The only problem is that, although it is possible to make slight changes to these regulations, there is something fundamentally wrong at the core. Not everyone will admit it publicly, but that’s how it is. I am just trying to adapt. Even if I stop in a few years, I want this sport to remain respectable. I would like to see the return of V8 or V10 engines.”

This candid interview highlights Max Verstappen‘s deep respect for his long-time collaborator Gianpiero Lambiase and his ongoing concern for the technical direction of Formula 1, emphasizing a desire for the sport to return to its more visceral, raw roots while supporting those who helped him reach the pinnacle of racing.