F1: Max Verstappen has special relationship with engineer Lambiase

Dutch world champion Max Verstappen says the relationship between himself and engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is rather special.

Italian-British engineer Lambiase has been with Red Bull since leaving Force India in 2014 with Verstappen joining the team from Torro Rosso two years later. The British engineer has been the voice behind both of Verstappen’s world championship titles and 35 grand prix wins.

Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing talks with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in the garage during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

When asked by RacingNews365.com if their relationship was like that of two brothers, Verstappen replied: “Probably more like a marriage. Sometimes (we’re) screaming and shouting a little bit at each other, (but) it’s good. We just have to determine who is the husband and who is the wife!”

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“It’s been really good,” said Verstappen. “It’s very important also, once it’s working, to stay together and when you have to work all the time with a different race engineer, I don’t think it’s good for you.

“I don’t want to change. Hopefully he doesn’t want to change as well.”