Max Verstappen’s engineer GP reveals low point in relationship with the Dutchman in 2024
After Max Verstappen won the 2024 F1 title, his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase shed light on the ups and downs of the season.
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Max Verstappen with Gianpiero Lambiase. (via IMAGO)
While Max Verstappen‘s fourth drivers’ championship victory would have given Red Bull a sigh of relief, the same could not be said during the earlier part of the season. The Dutchman’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase revealed how mid-way through the season when Verstappen had been battling the woeful RB20, the pair had a low point in their relationship.
Gianpiero Lambiase and Max Verstappen have been together since the reigning champion joined Red Bull in 2016. From that point onwards, the relationship between the two has grown warmer. Moreover, Lambiase was deemed to be the perfect companion for Verstappen by multiple experts.
However, the 2024 season posed some major challenges for Verstappen. The 27-year-old found himself with the task of defending his championship lead while not having a car that was capable of winning races anymore.
Subsequently, a flashpoint in Verstappen and Lambiase’s relationship came at the Hungarian GP. The Red Bull driver finished fifth and had an outburst over the radio about Red Bull’s questionable strategy. However, as Lambiase explained, it was all sorted out very amicably and smoothly soon after.
We had actually a very quiet week after Hungary. I don’t think there was a word spoken in the three, four days after the Hungary race. But we had a really good meeting in Spa together with Christian and Pierre, just clearing the air. Not that there was ever any animosity, but I think sometimes when adrenaline is running that high, it’s best just to leave things alone. But for the rest, it’s a relationship that’s grown over, what is now nine seasons, so we know and work together each other very well. So yeah, long may that continue.
Gianpiero Lambiase said on the F1 Nation podcast
Moreover, their relationship has led to another world championship for Verstappen. They were seen celebrating after he won his fourth consecutive F1 title in Las Vegas.
GP elaborates on how Max Verstappen psychologically defeats rivals
With Red Bull only having the third-fastest car on average this season, Max Verstappen was able to pull off a feat that many people imagined to be impossible. Despite his rivals putting up a stern fight and trying to play mind games, the 27-year-old remained clever and proved his critics wrong.
Gianpiero Lambiase elucidated how the Verstappen factor ultimately worked and broke down rivals psychologically. He said that they would do their best to end the season on a high.
I think it helps him knowing that he has the ability to pull off results that aren’t always there. At the same time, that maybe hurts or dents some of his competitors psychologically, not all of them, but perhaps some. We’ll do our best to finish Qatar and Abu Dhabi on a high and hopefully grab another win or two. Next year is next year.
Gianpiero Lambiase said on the F1 Nation podcast
With the great rapport between Lambiase and Verstappen, the pair would look to extend their championship success into the next season. However, Red Bull would have to sort things out in Milton Keynes and stop their current downward trajectory.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)