Red Bull veteran steps in at Austrian Grand Prix – Max Verstappen will have a different voice on his radio during the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, as Red Bull has confirmed that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will not be on duty in Spielberg. Taking his place will be a familiar face from within the Red Bull stable: Simon Rennie, one of the most experienced and respected engineers in the paddock.
This is a rare moment in Verstappen’s Formula 1 career, as it is one of the few times that the Dutchman will not have the benefit of Lambiase’s calm, clipped tones guiding him through a race weekend.
Change on the Pit Wall for Verstappen
Known throughout the sport simply as ‘GP’, Lambiase has played a central role in Verstappen’s rise from promising young talent to four-time world champion, contributing to 65 Grand Prix victories and countless strategic masterstrokes. The two have become one of the most formidable driver-engineer pairings in modern F1.
Shortly before the start of free practice in Austria, Red Bull revealed that Lambiase would be stepping away from the garage for personal reasons. While no specifics were shared, the team confirmed that he is expected to resume his duties at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone the following week.
For Verstappen, whose on-track confidence partly stems from the stability of his relationship with his race engineer, Lambiase’s absence could introduce an unusual dynamic, though he will still have a familiar voice in his ear.
Enter Simon Rennie: an F1 veteran returns
Simon Rennie, aged 45, will take over the role on the pit wall this weekend. While newer fans may be less familiar with him, Rennie is no mere stand-in. He is a well-known figure at Red Bull and across the F1 paddock, having built a formidable engineering career spanning two decades.
He began his Formula 1 career with Renault in 2004 as a data engineer during the team’s dominant era with Fernando Alonso. He later became a race engineer, working with some of the sport’s most talented and challenging drivers, including Alonso, Robert Kubica, Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Räikkönen, during a critical period of technical and competitive evolution in the sport.
He joined Red Bull in 2013 and quickly became a key voice on the radio for Mark Webber and, more famously, Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian often credited Rennie with helping him flourish during his prime years at Red Bull. Their partnership brought multiple wins and established Ricciardo as one of the best overtakers on the grid during that era.
However, in 2019, Rennie stepped away from full-time engineering. He cited the intense travel schedule as a factor and transitioned into a factory-based role in Milton Keynes, where he oversaw simulator operations and contributed to Red Bull’s technical programmes behind the scenes. Ricciardo would later suggest that Rennie’s absence played a part in his decision to leave Red Bull for Renault — a testament to their close working relationship.
A trusted voice in a crucial moment
This weekend, Rennie is returning to the front lines, not just to fill a vacancy, but also to stabilise a critical phase of Red Bull’s 2025 campaign. Verstappen is in the midst of a championship battle that is more unpredictable than any of the past four years. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is in the lead, and Lando Norris is also ahead of the Dutchman in the points tally. Verstappen, currently third in the championship, is under pressure to catch up before the summer break.
While it’s unlikely that the Dutchman will be fazed by the change in personnel — particularly one as experienced as Rennie — it remains a fascinating subplot. Verstappen is renowned for his brutally efficient focus, but he also thrives in environments where communication is seamless. Verstappen and Lambiase have developed their own rhythm — Lambiase’s famously dry tone matching Verstappen’s high-octane aggression. Whether Rennie, with his more measured delivery, can replicate that chemistry remains to be seen.
A Link to Red Bull’s History, and Its Future
This temporary substitution also brings an unexpected reunion of sorts. Rennie and Verstappen were never directly paired during Red Bull’s earlier years, but their respective timelines overlap in the team’s broader story. More recently, Rennie returned to trackside duties in 2020 to support Alex Albon during his turbulent time at Red Bull. He was also involved in helping Daniel Ricciardo regain confidence when the Australian returned to the Red Bull junior programme via AlphaTauri.
In that context, Rennie represents something of a continuity figure. He has witnessed Red Bull’s journey from being a dominant force in the early 2010s to its Verstappen-led resurgence. Now, in a season where McLaren are threatening to shake up the pecking order and Ferrari continue to fluctuate, his steady presence could be invaluable — even if only for one race.
Looking ahead to Silverstone
Despite the intrigue surrounding Rennie’s return, Red Bull fans will be relieved to hear that Lambiase’s absence is only temporary. The bond between Verstappen and his race engineer is one of the most enduring partnerships on the grid, rivalled only by duos such as Hamilton and Bonnington at Mercedes.
With the British Grand Prix just a week away, Red Bull will be eager to reunite the pair — particularly if Verstappen wants to reignite his championship push in familiar surroundings.
‘Russell dumped for Verstappen’
MORE F1 NEWS – New FIA penalties published. Should Verstappen have been banned in Spain?
Today the FIA have for the first time published the guidelines given to F1 stewards on how to handle on track infringements. This document has been produced since 2022 after the accession by Mohammed Ben Sulayem too the role of FIA president.
The previous season there had been a number of incidents involving Verstappen and Hamilton in their titanic battle to be F1 champion and there was significant criticism of the FIA for alleged inconsistent handling of the various instances. This led to the F1 driving standards guidelines being provided to the stewards.
It was only late last season when the existence of the secret document came to light, when the handling of incidents between Verstappen and Norris in Austin and Mexico City cause a huge debate amongst paddock analysts. Max was accused in COTA of diving down the inside, claiming the corner whilst running his rival off track…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
