Max Verstappen Admits Gianpiero Lambiase’s McLaren Move Was “a No-Brainer”

EX-F1 champion Max Verstappen gave a candid interview about his close associate Gianpiero Lambiase ditching Red Bull for McLaren

Max Verstappen Admits Gianpiero Lambiase’s McLaren Move Was “a No-Brainer”

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (via Red Bull)

One of the most shocking moves that happened during the one-month non-scheduled season break in Formula One was Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase exiting Red Bull for McLaren. It sparked a lot of buzz, owing to the fact that the Dutchman once claimed he will stop racing in F1 if GP leaves RB.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the No:3 Red Bull driver was asked about the exit of his close associate amidst their tough start to the season. He admitted that it was a time for a change and added that he would have been idiot if he stopped GP from making a move that would benefit his career in the long-run.

I will have to work with someone else, but I think times change, and the offer that he got, I would be an idiot to try and keep him. It’s not only about me all the time. It is also about his career and moving forward, so for me, it was a no-brainer to be honest, but we are looking to the future now, and working with different engineers, and I’m sure we’ll find solutions for that.

Max Verstappen said ahead of Miami GP.

The four times champion knows the Austrian team will be able to find a right replacement for him and is okay with his associate moving as their relationship was built on transparency that could afford accommodate such a drastic decision. Max Verstappen is currently focused on finding the right replacement and improving his team.

I explained it in Holland about what happened, and we have a very honest and open relationship, so it was all good.  I already said that I wish him the best and that there are no hard feelings, and that as a team, we look to the future and want to innovate and improve.

Max Verstappen added as reported via RN365.

Helmut Marko made some bold statements over Max Verstappen

Ex-Red Bull advisor Helmut Mark another key figure Verstappen loss in 2026, recently made some big comments about the veteran racer. He highlighted how F1 racing is no longer something the RB driver enjoys the most as the moment, as from last year endurance racing has been his jam.

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

I watch everything online. It’s always impressive to see how they carve their way through the field…That was already the case last year (on Verstappen enjoying Endurance racing more than F1).

Helmut Marks said.

He also talked about the team’s championship chances and asserted that he doesn’t see the star driver becoming champion this year. The legendary figure also admitted that he doesn’t know if the racer will retire, as there are a lot of uncertainty around him.

I fear it won’t happen this year (on Red Bull championship hopes) …I’m too far away to judge that properly. From the outside, I don’t give advice about that (on Verstappen’s future).

Helmut Marko added.

Max Vertappen’s racing career is at the cross roads right now, with the car not delivering for him and rivals dominating. This might inspire him entirely quit F1 and move to other racing ventures, as at the moment he has won almost everything there is in the sport.

Also Read: Lando Norris Admits “It Would be a Shame for F1” to Lose Max Verstappen