Max Verstappen’s engineer GP pinpoints ‘psychological dent’ made by the Dutchman in his rivals

Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase revealed that the former created a long-lasting 'dent' in the minds of the rivals.

Max Verstappen’s engineer GP pinpoints ‘psychological dent’ made by the Dutchman in his rivals

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase showcasing Verstappen's four championship win (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen defied all odds and won the 2024 world championship in an average chassis. The naysayers were silenced following the sublime drives from the 27-year-old. Amidst the preparations for the 2025 season, Verstappen’s long-time engineer Gianpiero Lambiase (GP) revealed a ‘psychological dent’ created by the former.

A majority of the people on the grid, including Zak Brown, had commented that Max Verstappen could only win in the fastest car. However, this year’s campaign was a stark difference as Verstappen showcased a great response to the claims. As a result, Gianpiero Lambiase highlighted that the Dutchman could pull off results that ‘aren’t always there.’ Due to such performances, the 27-year-old created a ‘dent’ in the minds of the rivals in a psychological manner.

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.

Gianpiero Lambiase said on the F1 Nation podcast
YouTube video

As Verstappen concluded the Drivers’ Championship battle, the team can now focus on other aspects such as the 2025 season’s chassis. GP reckoned that the team needed good enough results to end the 2024 season on a high. The Constructors’ Championship seems far-fetched amidst Sergio Perez‘s disastrous form. Hence, the team needed a much-deserved break after suffering from a ‘hard year.’

More importantly, we need to finish the year on a high to keep morale in the team up over the winter because it’s been a really hard year.

Gianpiero Lambiase added

Max Verstappen and Co. aiming to ‘grab a win or two’ in remaining races of 2024

Despite the incessant struggles, Max Verstappen kept up with performances and scored impressive results. The Dutchman can still contend for race wins for the final two races of the 2024 season. GP believed that the Las Vegas GP was a unique event due to the frigid conditions. Hence, the team will try to finish with the best results possible in the upcoming races despite winning the drivers’ championship.

Las Vegas was a bit of a unique event with the temperatures and the tyre behaviour. I don’t think we see the true reflection of the car performance out there today. We’ll do our best to finish Qatar and Abu Dhabi on a high and hopefully grab another a win or two. Next year is next year.

Gianpiero Lambiase noted
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bull has been through a rollercoaster in terms of performances this year. Despite Verstappen’s continuous efforts, Sergio Perez rendered the team unable to fight for the constructors’ championship. As a result, the team will have to look into the matter immediately to ensure such a situation isn’t repeated again in 2025.