Verstappen’s ‘man in the ear’ is gone – The departure of Gianpiero Lambiase (AKA ‘GP’) marks the end of one of the most successful driver–engineer partnerships in the history of Formula 1.
As the voice that guided Max Verstappen through races for many years, Lambiase became synonymous with Red Bull’s success, providing a calm and authoritative presence for the Dutchman during high-pressure moments.
With Lambiase’s departure from Red Bull Racing, the team has lost another pillar of its recent success. His departure coincides with internal changes at Red Bull, raising further questions about stability behind the scenes.
Lambiase is set to join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer, a significantly expanded leadership role that signals a personal promotion and a strategic gain for one of Red Bull’s direct rivals.
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Intriguing theory after Red Bull revelation
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has offered a theory about the situation, suggesting that Red Bull may not have done enough to keep one of its most valuable figures.
“It’s interesting because he now has a more important role than he had at Red Bull. It’s a role that Red Bull could have realised he could get elsewhere,” Montoya explained to AS Colombia.
Rather than viewing the move purely as a success for McLaren’s recruitment strategy, Montoya believes that Red Bull may have underestimated Lambiase’s ambitions, or failed to meet them. Admitting that he does not know all the internal details, Montoya said that the outcome still raises eyebrows.
“I don’t know the details, but when I consider everything he has achieved, I think it’s a position that Red Bull could have offered him,” he added.
The implication is clear: Lambiase’s departure may not simply be about opportunity elsewhere, but about an opportunity that Red Bull did not offer. Further, it indicates that there is perhaps a sea change in atmosphere within the Red Bull setup, something this website had reported on several times prior from sources within the Milton Keynes factory in the UK.
A promotion Red Bull didn’t match
At McLaren, Lambiase’s new position places him firmly within the team’s senior leadership structure. As Chief Racing Officer, he will oversee broader operational and performance aspects, moving beyond the traditional race engineer role he held at Red Bull.
This represents a significant career progression. Although Lambiase was highly influential trackside, he was never formally promoted to a top-tier management position within Red Bull’s evolving organisational structure.
Montoya’s comments suggest that this may have been a decisive factor. By not promoting Lambiase internally, Red Bull left the door open for a rival team to make a more attractive and forward-looking offer.
The timing is also notable. Red Bull has undergone internal restructuring in recent months, yet Lambiase was not among those moved into a more senior executive position. This absence now appears increasingly significant in light of his departure.
Montoya’s warning: Verstappen could follow
Montoya also issued a broader warning about Red Bull’s future, suggesting that Lambiase might not be the last key figure to leave.
“Toto Wolff has made it very clear that he wants Max in his team. That could be the perfect opportunity for Verstappen. Red Bull is rather slow. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely look for a way out as soon as possible,” he said.
The reference to Mercedes and team principal Toto Wolff highlights the seriousness of the situation. If performance dips, Verstappen’s long-term commitment could be called into question. And if Montoya’s theory proves accurate, this could also be an early sign of deeper challenges to come.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Red Bull responds, both in terms of performance and in its ability to retain the people who helped build its success. With the raft of long-term team members exiting over the last 12 months, it is already beginning to look like a brand new team starting from scratch.
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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.
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.
