Jos Verstappen Backs GianPiero Lambiase’s "Huge Opportunity" at McLaren as Red Bull Exodus Continues

Jos Verstappen reveals Max’s camp encouraged GP Lambiase to join McLaren, despite Max’s previous threats to retire without his long-term engineer.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 3:52 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

A Decades-Long Partnership Nears Its End

The Formula 1 paddock was shaken on Thursday by the announcement that GianPiero "GP" Lambiase, the voice behind Max Verstappen’s four consecutive world titles, will join McLaren. Lambiase has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman’s debut for Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Their partnership has been defined by a unique "old married couple" dynamic on the team radio, characterized by blunt honesty and mutual respect. However, following a period of sustained dominance between 2021 and 2024, the structural core of Red Bull Racing is beginning to shift as key personnel seek new challenges.

Encouragement from the Verstappen Camp

In a surprise revelation, Jos Verstappen told RaceXpress that the driver’s management had been aware of Lambiase’s negotiations with McLaren for some time. Rather than attempting to block the move, the Verstappens reportedly urged Lambiase to "grab it with both hands." Jos characterized the position of Chief Racing Officer at McLaren as a significant career step that Lambiase deserved to take. This supportive stance suggests a level of pragmatism within the Verstappen camp, acknowledging that Lambiase’s ten-year tenure at Red Bull had reached a natural point for evolution.

Reassessing Max’s "Retirement" Threat

The move raises immediate questions about Max Verstappen’s own future. In late 2021, Max famously told Dutch media, "As soon as he [Lambiase] stops, I stop too." However, Jos Verstappen now believes those sentiments have evolved. Following the achievement of four world championships together, Jos argues that "things have changed" and that Max is now mentally prepared to continue his career without his long-serving ally. While Max has recently expressed frustration with the upcoming 2026 regulations, his father insists the driver will adapt to a new engineering structure once Lambiase moves to Woking.