The sense of upheaval surrounding Max Verstappen continues to grow, with another key figure now set to leave Red Bull Racing. Following the departures of long-standing advisor Helmut Marko and design mastermind Adrian Newey, the team has confirmed that race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will leave by 2028 at the latest.
For Verstappen, this is more than just another staffing change. Lambiase has been one of his closest allies throughout his championship-winning years: a trusted voice on the radio, and a central figure in his success. With that partnership now set to end, questions are inevitably being asked about the Dutchman’s own future.
According to reports from F1-Insider, the situation is becoming increasingly serious. The outlet claims that there are growing indications that Verstappen may have ‘no future’ at Red Bull, as internal changes continue to dismantle the environment that helped him dominate Formula 1.
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Exit clause looming over Red Bull
At the heart of the speculation is a performance-related exit clause in Verstappen’s contract. Although his current deal runs until 2028, it reportedly includes a provision that would allow him to leave earlier under certain conditions.
One potential trigger is his position in the drivers’ standings by the summer break. If he is not at least third in the championship by then, he may be able to activate a release clause and leave at the end of the season.
This scenario, once unthinkable, now appears increasingly plausible. Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team have emerged as the dominant force under the current regulations, while Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren have also made significant progress. Red Bull, by contrast, is no longer the benchmark it once was.
For Verstappen to remain comfortably inside the top three in these circumstances would require a remarkable turnaround in performance. Without this, the contractual escape route could quickly become a reality.
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A McLaren move for Lambiase?
Adding further intrigue is the destination of Lambiase himself. The Italian engineer will not simply be stepping away from Formula 1 — he is set to join McLaren, one of Red Bull’s direct rivals.
McLaren has confirmed that he will take on the role of Chief Racing Officer, reporting directly to Team Principal Andrea Stella. This is a significant position, overseeing the overall management of the racing team.
McLaren has explained in a statement that the role already exists within its structure, with Stella currently balancing those duties alongside his responsibilities as team principal. Lambiase’s arrival will allow for a clearer division of leadership at a time when the team is striving to reach the front of the grid.
For Red Bull, however, the situation is far less positive. Losing a figure so closely associated with Verstappen — to a direct competitor, no less — only intensifies the sense of a team in transition.
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Verstappen’s future in doubt
The most striking element of the situation may be Verstappen’s own past comments. Back in 2021, he made it clear how much he valued his working relationship with Lambiase, stating: ‘If Lambiase quits, then I’ll leave too.’
While circumstances have evolved since then, the quote now carries renewed weight. With Lambiase’s departure now confirmed, the possibility of Verstappen leaving too can no longer be dismissed.
Interestingly, a move to another team is not the only scenario being discussed. Some reports even suggest that Verstappen could consider retiring from Formula 1 entirely if he no longer feels it is the right environment for him — a dramatic outcome that would send shockwaves through the sport.
For now, his future remains undecided. However, as Red Bull continues to lose key personnel and its competitive edge comes under pressure, the foundations of Verstappen’s long-term commitment appear increasingly fragile.
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The music has stopped in Milton Keynes. What began twenty years ago as a loud, disruptive “party team” designed to rattle the F1 establishment has been replaced by a silent, clinical corporate machine. But as Oliver Mintzlaff’s “cleansing” of the Christian Horner era accelerates, Red Bull Racing is facing a catastrophic brain drain that threatens to leave the reigning champions as little more than a corporate ghost.
Formula One is a multi-billion dollar business, and for the first time in the sport’s history, even the teams are run to turn a profit. Yet each team is more than the sum of its parts. Today’s shock news that Max Verstappen’s race engineer and Red Bull’s Head of Race Engineering, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to depart may serve as the final hammer blow to the once-legendary racing empire.
The successful F1 teams over the decades have enjoyed a family-style culture where each individual’s goals are aligned with the primary objective of the team: a singular, relentless focus on collective victory.
Red Bull join F1 as the “party team”
Having bought the remnants of the failed Jaguar team—previously run by corporate types interfering from the USA— Dietrich Mateschitz’s passion was not just to go racing, but to disrupt the stuffy corporate atmosphere of Formula One. Red Bull became known as the “party team”; after each Grand Prix, the pit lane was flooded with beats from the Red Bull garage pumping out tunes like “Who Let the Dogs Out?”
Out went the traditional team motorhome, and in came the massive floating glass palace known as the “Energy Station,” featuring DJ booths, bars, and a terrace. The team published a race weekend magazine called The Red Bulletin, which often poked fun at senior paddock members and the FIA alike. All of this reinforced their image as the outsiders — the new kids on the block.
At 31 years of age, Christian Horner was by far the youngest ever F1 team principal. His presence within…CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE
Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
tbh at this stage I don’t know that we’d really be surprised if Verstappen stepped away. After all he did start so young that this is his 12th season in F1 – for many drivers that would count as a respectable career even before looking at all he’s achieved in the sport. My current best bet is a sabbatical to see what life is like in alternative forms of racing while he sees what how the landscape in F1 changes. I’d imagine he’d find open doors if he wanted to return (particularly given he’d only be 30 or so) and if not… well, there’s still a part of me waiting for Mika Häkkinen to come back from his sabbatical…
Verstappen is one of the most popular google F1 searches. Whilst he’s a marmite character, as was Hamilton in his pomp, to lose him is a disaster for F1. But I agree with you he could well take a sabbatical and race tin tops for a season to see how the F1 landscape changes as you suggest. And yes we lost Mika way too early as we did Rosberg who finally worked out how to beat Hamilton despite the Mercedes bias towards Lewis. Red Bull I’m sad to say looks to be finished. The history of corporate interference in F1 racing teams which Red Bull are suffering is damning. Jaguar, Toyota, Renault to name but a few. And despite his backing of Russell, Wolff would surely bin him for Max in an instant given the opportunity. Then again McLaren have proven for the first time in decades, a customer team can rival their PU supplier.