The bombshell was actually known
internally for a long time.
Helmut Marko confirmed that he was aware of the departure of
Gianpiero Lambiase, the iconic race engineer of
Max Verstappen.
Read more Nightmare weekend for Lance Stroll in GT, Aston Martin still in freefall
“I have known for some time that ‘GP’ was going to join
McLaren” he explains, highlighting the importance of this
key element in the
Red Bull organization.
Lambiase, a central figure in
Verstappen’s recent successes, is considered much more than a
simple engineer. His close relationship with the Dutchman has often
been described as one of the pillars of the team’s dominance in
recent years.
Marko recalls, however, that this
type of departure is regulated: “He is an important employee, and of course, he is subject to
a non-compete clause” he specifies, mentioning the
stakes related to the transfer of sensitive knowledge.
Verstappen at the heart of concerns
But beyond the departure of
Lambiase, it is above all Verstappen’s future that is crystallizing
all the attention. Red Bull’s current sporting situation,
combined with the driver’s frustrations regarding the 2026 rules, fuels
doubts.
“The situation is becoming increasingly critical for
Max” Marko admits, before insisting on a key point:
“The most important thing for him
to stay is that he can win again quickly.”
A clear message: without a return
to the top in the short term, the future of the four-time world champion
could be written elsewhere.
A
domino effect on the driver market
This context opens the door to
many scenarios. The hypothesis of an exit clause activation during the
2026 F1 season is repeatedly mentioned in the paddock.
According to
Ralf Schumacher, the situation could evolve quickly:
“I don’t imagine him finishing
2027 at Red Bull” he asserts.
Read more Scare for a Verstappen teammate after falling ill mid-race
He even mentions
potential negotiations and an early transfer, especially if
Lambiase were to play a role in a future destination.
“When a decision is made this early, it
often concerns the engineer” he adds.
McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari: everything becomes possible
Among the paths mentioned,
McLaren appears as a credible option, notably due to
the interest shown by
Zak Brown in Verstappen.
An even more
explosive scenario could even see a game of musical chairs between top
teams. A departure to McLaren could, for example, trigger a
movement involving
Oscar Piastri or other major drivers.
But McLaren is not alone.
Mercedes and
Ferrari are also monitoring the situation closely, ready to
seize the slightest opportunity.
Journalist
Erik van Haren perfectly summarizes the current atmosphere:
“A lot is happening
behind the scenes, and even more will happen in the months to
come around Max.”
A
decision that could change everything
One thing is certain:
Verstappen’s future has become the focal point of the driver
market. Between sporting frustrations, strategic departures, and
external interest, all the ingredients are there for a
major turning point.
If Red Bull does not manage to quickly
reverse the trend, the entire balance of the grid
could be upset. And in this high-speed game of chess,
Verstappen holds the keys more than ever.
Read more Lewis Hamilton sets Verstappen straight and defends the new 2026 F1