Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 will not be affected by the departure of his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase from Red Bull Racing, according to team principal Laurent Mekies.
Lambiase, who has worked with Verstappen since 2016, is set to take up a senior role at McLaren by 2028 at the latest. Despite their close partnership, Mekies said the move will not influence Verstappen’s plans or commitment to Red Bull.
He added that Verstappen understands how teams evolve and that staff changes are a normal part of motorsport. Red Bull, he said, remains stable and focused on continued success.
Mekies also addressed Verstappen’s concerns about current Formula 1 engine regulations, saying recent and planned rule tweaks are aimed at improving racing and driver experience, even if they do not solve every issue.
