Max Verstappen tipped to leave Red Bull after race engineer departs
Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is expected to leave Red Bull at the end of the season after his long-standing race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase agreed to join rivals McLaren.
The departure of the Dutchman’s trusted trackside ally has sparked intense speculation about his own future with the Milton Keynes-based team.
Former British driver Johnny Herbert believes the engineer’s exit is a clear indication that the reigning champion is preparing to invoke a performance-related release clause in his contract.
The defending constructors’ champions have endured a surprisingly difficult start to the current campaign, leaving their star driver with just 12 points from the opening three rounds.
End of an era at Red Bull?
If the four-time world champion is not sitting second or higher in the drivers’ standings by the summer break, he is legally permitted to walk away.
Lambiase has been a constant presence in the driver’s ear throughout his dominant title-winning years, forging one of the paddock’s most famous working relationships.
Herbert suggested that the timing of the engineer’s move to a resurgent McLaren points to a broader exodus from the current champions.
“Is this move almost confirmation in a way that Max is on his way at the end of the season too?”
Johnny Herbert
Rivals circling for champion’s signature
A potential departure would trigger an unprecedented bidding war among Formula 1’s elite manufacturers.
Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes are all considered viable destinations should the grid’s most dominant force decide to seek a new challenge.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been a long-term admirer of the fiercely competitive racer and previously attempted to sign him earlier in the season.
“We know he’s very hungry to race in something that gives him that buzz.”
Johnny Herbert
The behind-the-scenes instability adds further pressure on a management structure that has already seen significant upheaval and key staff departures over recent months.
