[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https://cdn.crash.net/2026-04/si202603280207.jpg?width=1600&aspect_ratio=16:9″]
Max Verstappen’s father Jos reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase Red Bull F1 exit
Max Verstappen’s father has reacted to the shock news that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull.
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, has shared his first reaction to the bombshell news that Gianpiero Lambiase is leaving Red Bull.
Lambiase, who has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso in 2016, has agreed to join McLaren in 2028 in a shock move away from Red Bull.
Red Bull and McLaren confirmed the switch in separate statements several hours after many publications, including Crash.net, had already reported the news on Thursday morning.
The highly-regarded engineer will take up the role of chief racing officer with McLaren when his current Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2027. It is understood that Lambiase will earn a significantly larger salary than what he is currently on at Red Bull.
Red Bull described Lambiase’s impending departure as “planned” in its statement, and according to reports, Verstappen was made aware of what was happening and gave the 45-year-old Briton his blessing.
The first reaction of Verstappen’s father appears to back up those reports.
“We knew for a while and we also knew when it was going to happen,” Jos told RaceXpress.
“We have another year and a half to two years to work with him. It’s a huge opportunity for him, so we understand.
“We also told him to do it and grab it with both hands. Beyond that, it’s up to Red Bull to replace him. We will see.”
The news has left further question marks over Verstappen’s future, both at Red Bull, and in F1 in general.
Verstappen is disenchanted with F1’s new rules and has already suggested he is considering walking away from the series at the end of the season.
How Lambiase’s exit from Red Bull impacts Verstappen’s decision remains to be seen, but the general consensus within the F1 paddock is that the four-time world champion is more likely to leave than ever.
Lambiase is the latest close ally Verstappen has lost at Red Bull, following Helmut Marko and other key members of his inner circle including his chief mechanic, Matt Caller. Verstappen’s long-serving front-end mechanic Ole Schack is also set to depart.
“I think things have changed,” Jos said when asked about his son’s future.
“Certainly after four championships you have achieved a lot together, but that is up to Max. However, I think he will just continue.”
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Max Verstappen’s father has reacted to the shock news that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull.
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, has shared his first reaction to the bombshell news that Gianpiero Lambiase is leaving Red Bull.
Lambiase, who has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso in 2016, has agreed to join McLaren in 2028 in a shock move away from Red Bull.
Red Bull and McLaren confirmed the switch in separate statements several hours after many publications, including Crash.net, had already reported the news on Thursday morning.
The highly-regarded engineer will take up the role of chief racing officer with McLaren when his current Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2027. It is understood that Lambiase will earn a significantly larger salary than what he is currently on at Red Bull.
Red Bull described Lambiase’s impending departure as “planned” in its statement, and according to reports, Verstappen was made aware of what was happening and gave the 45-year-old Briton his blessing.
The first reaction of Verstappen’s father appears to back up those reports.
“We knew for a while and we also knew when it was going to happen,” Jos told RaceXpress.
“We have another year and a half to two years to work with him. It’s a huge opportunity for him, so we understand.
“We also told him to do it and grab it with both hands. Beyond that, it’s up to Red Bull to replace him. We will see.”
The news has left further question marks over Verstappen’s future, both at Red Bull, and in F1 in general.
Verstappen is disenchanted with F1’s new rules and has already suggested he is considering walking away from the series at the end of the season.
How Lambiase’s exit from Red Bull impacts Verstappen’s decision remains to be seen, but the general consensus within the F1 paddock is that the four-time world champion is more likely to leave than ever.
Lambiase is the latest close ally Verstappen has lost at Red Bull, following Helmut Marko and other key members of his inner circle including his chief mechanic, Matt Caller. Verstappen’s long-serving front-end mechanic Ole Schack is also set to depart.
“I think things have changed,” Jos said when asked about his son’s future.
“Certainly after four championships you have achieved a lot together, but that is up to Max. However, I think he will just continue.”
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, has shared his first reaction to the bombshell news that Gianpiero Lambiase is leaving Red Bull.
Lambiase, who has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso in 2016, has agreed to join McLaren in 2028 in a shock move away from Red Bull.
Red Bull and McLaren confirmed the switch in separate statements several hours after many publications, including Crash.net, had already reported the news on Thursday morning.
The highly-regarded engineer will take up the role of chief racing officer with McLaren when his current Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2027. It is understood that Lambiase will earn a significantly larger salary than what he is currently on at Red Bull.
Red Bull described Lambiase’s impending departure as “planned” in its statement, and according to reports, Verstappen was made aware of what was happening and gave the 45-year-old Briton his blessing.
The first reaction of Verstappen’s father appears to back up those reports.
“We knew for a while and we also knew when it was going to happen,” Jos told RaceXpress.
“We have another year and a half to two years to work with him. It’s a huge opportunity for him, so we understand.
“We also told him to do it and grab it with both hands. Beyond that, it’s up to Red Bull to replace him. We will see.”
The news has left further question marks over Verstappen’s future, both at Red Bull, and in F1 in general.
Verstappen is disenchanted with F1’s new rules and has already suggested he is considering walking away from the series at the end of the season.
How Lambiase’s exit from Red Bull impacts Verstappen’s decision remains to be seen, but the general consensus within the F1 paddock is that the four-time world champion is more likely to leave than ever.
Lambiase is the latest close ally Verstappen has lost at Red Bull, following Helmut Marko and other key members of his inner circle including his chief mechanic, Matt Caller. Verstappen’s long-serving front-end mechanic Ole Schack is also set to depart.
“I think things have changed,” Jos said when asked about his son’s future.
“Certainly after four championships you have achieved a lot together, but that is up to Max. However, I think he will just continue.”
[analyse_source url=”http://crash.net/f1/news/1092952/1/max-verstappens-father-reacts-bombshell-gianpiero-lambiase-red-bull-f1-exit”]