{"id":1881799,"date":"2026-04-14T10:17:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T07:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1881799"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:17:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T07:17:00","slug":"mercedes-move-the-perfect-opportunity-for-verstappen-after-losing-key-red-bull-ally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1881799","title":{"rendered":"Mercedes move &#8220;the perfect opportunity&#8221; for Verstappen after losing key Red Bull ally"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Mercedes move &#8220;the perfect opportunity&#8221; for Verstappen after losing key Red Bull ally<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Max Verstappen will be looking for a Red Bull exit route, says former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Sam Hall <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-14T11:17:00+01:00\">14 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Verstappen and Antonelli<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div>\n<p>Juan Pablo Montoya believes that now is the &#8220;perfect opportunity&#8221; for Mercedes to sign Max Verstappen, with Red Bull struggling in the opening three races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and losing Gianpiero Lambiase to rivals McLaren.<\/p>\n<p>Lambiase is the latest Verstappen ally to announce his Red Bull departure, with Helmut Marko stepping down from his role as Red Bull motorsport advisor at the end of 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This followed other key moves, with Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall both also moving to McLaren, while Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, and Adrian Newey have all either switched teams or left the paddock within the last 24 months.<\/p>\n<p>On top of these departures, and with Red Bull struggling for performance and languishing in sixth in the constructors&#8217; table after three rounds, behind Alpine and Haas, and just two points clear of sister team Racing Bulls, questions have been raised as to how long Verstappen will stick with the team.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is a long-term admirer of the Dutchman and has previously tried to sign him. Montoya believes now could be the time to strike.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cLook at Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli has won the last two races, but George Russell is suddenly really struggling,\u201d he told <em>AS Columbia<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd team boss Toto Wolff has always said very clearly that he wants Max in his team. This could well be the perfect opportunity for Verstappen.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3d0e75a7244dac5e82e52253ef3eae0b12605c67314157b650dd89731236528a\">  Marko calls for immediate F1 rules change after landing new role   Five of the best Verstappen and Lambiase F1 radio exchanges <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Red Bull is on the slower side. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely be looking for a way out, for a way to leave as soon as possible.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Red Bull questioned over Lambiase departure<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Lamibiase has served as the race engineer for four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the entirety of the Dutchman&#8217;s time with Red Bull, and was crucial to each of his title-winning campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>But this partnership will be broken up for the 2028 season, with McLaren announcing on 9 April that Lambiase will be joining as chief racing officer, reporting directly to team principal Andrea Stella. It has also been suggested that the 45-year-old is being lined up to eventually replace Stella in the top job.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-21b5e200c0a647e6c4ac2284a57eab8e29e30b75d44ab1a416e197277253da2d\">  Red Bull in \u201cfull attack mode\u201d after \u2018paying the price\u2019 over key F1 decision   What \u2018surprised\u2019 an F1 race winner about Max Verstappen journalist spat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It is interesting, though, because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull,\u201d Montoya added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s also a role that Red Bull could have known he could have gotten elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t know for sure, but when I look at all he has achieved, I personally think it is a role that Red Bull certainly could have given him as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Red Bull<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Max Verstappen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Jenson Button addresses Martin Brundle F1 replacement speculation<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-11\/XPB_1168553_HiRes.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-0534e8bd9a92af429f2159347a66368e4d8cc1e97582b4dbe45d36a3be6e1688\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/whatsapp-image-2026-03-05-at-12.30.04.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/whatsapp-image-2026-03-05-at-12.30.04.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/whatsapp-image-2026-03-05-at-12.30.04.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Sam Hall<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Sam joined Crash.net in February 2026 with extensive experience in motorsport media, having covered numerous championships around the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-3a866f5af8ed26fafa5997ccb0e70f69196ff2ec0f50790f87dc770bc5cf18fd\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Max Verstappen is not racing in NLS3 this weekend<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775817830\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404374_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen\u2019s father reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775811794\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase has been an ever-present at Verstappen's side at Red Bull\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>How Max Verstappen\u2019s F1 race engineer will fit in at McLaren<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775809740\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399065_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase will complete a shock switch from Red Bull to F1 rival McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775806200\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268868295.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"The start of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Lambiase isn&#8217;t the only ace McLaren could play to lure Verstappen<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775748723\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202512070361.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Could Brown tempt Verstappen to join McLaren? \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren confirms Gianpiero Lambiase signing as Red Bull responds to shock exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775743636\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1396596_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen will lose another key ally in Lambiase\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Max Verstappen will be looking for a Red Bull exit route, says former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div>\n<p>Juan Pablo Montoya believes that now is the &#8220;perfect opportunity&#8221; for Mercedes to sign Max Verstappen, with Red Bull struggling in the opening three races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and losing Gianpiero Lambiase to rivals McLaren.<\/p>\n<p>Lambiase is the latest Verstappen ally to announce his Red Bull departure, with Helmut Marko stepping down from his role as Red Bull motorsport advisor at the end of 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This followed other key moves, with Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall both also moving to McLaren, while Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, and Adrian Newey have all either switched teams or left the paddock within the last 24 months.<\/p>\n<p>On top of these departures, and with Red Bull struggling for performance and languishing in sixth in the constructors&#8217; table after three rounds, behind Alpine and Haas, and just two points clear of sister team Racing Bulls, questions have been raised as to how long Verstappen will stick with the team.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is a long-term admirer of the Dutchman and has previously tried to sign him. Montoya believes now could be the time to strike.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cLook at Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli has won the last two races, but George Russell is suddenly really struggling,\u201d he told <em>AS Columbia<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd team boss Toto Wolff has always said very clearly that he wants Max in his team. This could well be the perfect opportunity for Verstappen.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3d0e75a7244dac5e82e52253ef3eae0b12605c67314157b650dd89731236528a\">  Marko calls for immediate F1 rules change after landing new role   Five of the best Verstappen and Lambiase F1 radio exchanges <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Red Bull is on the slower side. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely be looking for a way out, for a way to leave as soon as possible.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Red Bull questioned over Lambiase departure<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Lamibiase has served as the race engineer for four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the entirety of the Dutchman&#8217;s time with Red Bull, and was crucial to each of his title-winning campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>But this partnership will be broken up for the 2028 season, with McLaren announcing on 9 April that Lambiase will be joining as chief racing officer, reporting directly to team principal Andrea Stella. It has also been suggested that the 45-year-old is being lined up to eventually replace Stella in the top job.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-21b5e200c0a647e6c4ac2284a57eab8e29e30b75d44ab1a416e197277253da2d\">  Red Bull in \u201cfull attack mode\u201d after \u2018paying the price\u2019 over key F1 decision   What \u2018surprised\u2019 an F1 race winner about Max Verstappen journalist spat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It is interesting, though, because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull,\u201d Montoya added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s also a role that Red Bull could have known he could have gotten elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t know for sure, but when I look at all he has achieved, I personally think it is a role that Red Bull certainly could have given him as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div>\n<p>Juan Pablo Montoya believes that now is the &#8220;perfect opportunity&#8221; for Mercedes to sign Max Verstappen, with Red Bull struggling in the opening three races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and losing Gianpiero Lambiase to rivals McLaren.<\/p>\n<p>Lambiase is the latest Verstappen ally to announce his Red Bull departure, with Helmut Marko stepping down from his role as Red Bull motorsport advisor at the end of 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This followed other key moves, with Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall both also moving to McLaren, while Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, and Adrian Newey have all either switched teams or left the paddock within the last 24 months.<\/p>\n<p>On top of these departures, and with Red Bull struggling for performance and languishing in sixth in the constructors&#8217; table after three rounds, behind Alpine and Haas, and just two points clear of sister team Racing Bulls, questions have been raised as to how long Verstappen will stick with the team.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is a long-term admirer of the Dutchman and has previously tried to sign him. Montoya believes now could be the time to strike.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cLook at Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli has won the last two races, but George Russell is suddenly really struggling,\u201d he told <em>AS Columbia<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd team boss Toto Wolff has always said very clearly that he wants Max in his team. This could well be the perfect opportunity for Verstappen.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3d0e75a7244dac5e82e52253ef3eae0b12605c67314157b650dd89731236528a\">  Marko calls for immediate F1 rules change after landing new role   Five of the best Verstappen and Lambiase F1 radio exchanges <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Red Bull is on the slower side. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely be looking for a way out, for a way to leave as soon as possible.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Red Bull questioned over Lambiase departure<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Lamibiase has served as the race engineer for four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the entirety of the Dutchman&#8217;s time with Red Bull, and was crucial to each of his title-winning campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>But this partnership will be broken up for the 2028 season, with McLaren announcing on 9 April that Lambiase will be joining as chief racing officer, reporting directly to team principal Andrea Stella. It has also been suggested that the 45-year-old is being lined up to eventually replace Stella in the top job.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-21b5e200c0a647e6c4ac2284a57eab8e29e30b75d44ab1a416e197277253da2d\">  Red Bull in \u201cfull attack mode\u201d after \u2018paying the price\u2019 over key F1 decision   What \u2018surprised\u2019 an F1 race winner about Max Verstappen journalist spat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It is interesting, though, because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull,\u201d Montoya added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s also a role that Red Bull could have known he could have gotten elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t know for sure, but when I look at all he has achieved, I personally think it is a role that Red Bull certainly could have given him as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092991\/1\/mercedes-move-perfect-opportunity-verstappen-after-losing-key-red-bull-ally&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404324_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Mercedes move &#8220;the perfect opportunity&#8221; for Verstappen after losing key Red Bull ally Max Verstappen will be looking for a Red Bull exit route, says former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Sam Hall 14 Apr 2026 Share Verstappen and Antonelli \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images Add as a preferred source Juan Pablo Montoya believes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1881799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1881799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1881799"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1881799\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1881799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1881799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1881799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}