Max Verstappen walked away from Abu Dhabi not only without the Formula 1 World Championship title, but also facing the possibility of losing one of the most important figures who has accompanied him throughout his entire journey with Red Bull Racing.
The hours following the Grand Prix have been tense for Max Verstappen, as his future could undergo significant changes. The disappointment of losing the 2025 world title is only part of the story. According to growing speculation in the paddock, several key members of Red Bull may be considering distancing themselves from the Dutch driver. After the rumours involving Helmut Marko, attention has now turned to Gianpiero Lambiase.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concluded an intense and emotional season for Max Verstappen, who saw the 2025 championship slip away by just two points. While most fans are focused on the dramatic ending of the title fight, behind the scenes Verstappen is facing the possibility of major internal departures.
The first concerns were sparked after Helmut Marko’s recent comments, which suggested he may not be entirely certain about his future within the team. That alone created unease. But now, doubts are also emerging around Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s longtime race engineer. Gianpiero Lambiase was visibly moved on the pit wall after the final lap in Abu Dhabi, a gesture that many interpreted as a sign of a potential change in his role within the team.
The 2025 season has been particularly challenging for the Italian-British engineer. Personal circumstances forced him to miss several events throughout the year, including the Austria and Belgium rounds. During those weekends, Simon Rennie stepped in as Max Verstappen’s race engineer, ensuring continuity and maintaining the technical dialogue required during sessions and races.
According to reports from Motorsport.com, several voices inside the paddock believe that Gianpiero Lambiase’s role for 2026 is still far from clearly defined. Due to the personal issues he faced this year, Red Bull is expected to reassess the situation during the winter break. Should Gianpiero Lambiase step away from his traditional trackside engineering responsibilities, the team would then have to find a suitable and equally competent replacement to work with the 1997-born driver during Grands Prix. Even in that scenario, the engineer could remain involved in a more senior position, still present at the track but with different duties.
The importance of Gianpiero Lambiase in Max Verstappen’s career is evident from the words of the three-time world champion himself. Speaking openly, he said: “It’s been an emotional year. Let’s not talk about the results of this season, it has been tough. I’m very happy to work with someone so passionate. He’s my race engineer, but I also see him as a friend. We have shared so many emotions and achieved fantastic milestones together.”
Max Verstappen added: “I’m sure he was a bit emotional after the chequered flag. I look forward to seeing him again soon, because it hasn’t always been easy for him. I’m really proud to work with someone so talented. He is a true example of determination: he never gave up this season, not even in the most difficult moments.”
For now, there are no official confirmations regarding his future. But for a driver who has repeatedly underlined the value of stability and trust within his team, the potential loss of Gianpiero Lambiase could weigh even more heavily than missing out on the championship. Red Bull will have to manage this delicate situation carefully as the 2026 regulation revolution approaches, ensuring that Verstappen enters the new era with the strongest possible structure around him.
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