Gianpiero Lambiase’s Future at Red Bull in Doubt After Emotional Abu Dhabi Finale

Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase faces an uncertain future after an emotional end to the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi. Amid staff changes and personal challenges, whispers grow about his possible new role for 2026.

Red Bull’s long‑time race engineer Gianpiero “GP” Lambiase appeared overcome with emotion after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — a race that marked both triumph and heartbreak. Max Verstappen clinched victory but narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive world title, with McLaren’s Lando Norris edging him out in the final standings.

Cameras captured an emotional Lambiase on the Red Bull pit wall, his head in his hands, symbolising more than just the pain of defeat. The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a testing year both personally and professionally for the British‑Italian engineer, who has spent over a decade forming one of the most successful partnerships in modern F1 history.

A Difficult Year Behind the Scenes

Lambiase faced a tough personal year that saw him miss several races, including the Austrian and Belgian Grands Prix, with Red Bull’s head of simulation engineering, Simon Rennie, filling in. His participation at the Qatar Grand Prix was even uncertain until the last moment.

According to reports from Motorsport.com, Red Bull has yet to confirm Lambiase’s role for 2026. Discussions are expected to continue over the winter break as the team evaluates whether he will remain as Verstappen’s race engineer or step into a senior technical or trackside leadership role.

Team insiders stress that any decision will require careful consideration. After a taxing season, the focus appears to be on supporting Lambiase personally before formalising his next move.

Verstappen’s Loyalty to “GP”

Max Verstappen has long credited Lambiase as a key figure in his success — someone who not only engineers his races but also manages his temperament under pressure. Speaking after the Abu Dhabi race, Verstappen voiced deep respect and affection for his race engineer:

“It’s been an emotional year… He’s my engineer, but also my friend. We’ve been through incredible highs and lows together.”

Their sharp‑yet‑friendly radio exchanges have become a hallmark of Formula 1, reflecting a relationship built on trust, honesty, and relentless pursuit of performance.

Red Bull Faces Wider Personnel Changes

Lambiase’s uncertain future comes amid significant internal changes within Red Bull. Three key engineers from Verstappen’s inner circle — Tom Hart (performance engineer), Michael Manning (control systems engineer), and David Mart (power unit engineer) — are all confirmed to leave the team after the 2025 season.

Tom Hart joins Williams in a senior position.
David Mart moves to Audi’s new works team for 2026.
Michael Manning’s next step remains unclear.

Earlier this year, Lambiase was promoted to Head of Racing, a broader management role overseeing race operations, heritage projects, and car build teams — on top of his engineering duties. This structural shift followed the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull’s veteran sporting director, who left to join Sauber/Audi.

Team principal Laurent Mekies highlighted after the season finale that constant adaptation is a natural part of Formula 1 success:

“F1 is not static — teams evolve continuously. We always look for new ways to improve how we operate.”

What Could Come Next for Lambiase?

If Lambiase moves away from direct race engineering, his influence is still likely to remain central to Red Bull’s operations, particularly with the 2026 regulation overhaul coming into play.

Potential scenarios include:

Promotion to Technical Management: Overseeing broader team operations or development.
Special Project Leadership: Guiding Red Bull’s technical transition to 2026’s new power unit era.
Mentorship Role: Supporting new race engineers and young talent within the Red Bull system.

Whatever comes next, Red Bull’s challenge will be finding someone capable of replicating the technical brilliance and mental synergy between Verstappen and Lambiase — a partnership that has defined an era.

A Legacy That Transcends Titles

Even if 2025 ends up being their last full season together, the Verstappen–Lambiase partnership will be remembered as one of the most effective in modern Formula 1 — built on mutual trust, lightning‑fast communication, and a shared obsession with precision.

As Red Bull prepares for a new chapter, the paddock will watch closely to see if “GP” and Verstappen remain together — or if their legendary pairing gives way to a new dynamic in Formula 1’s next era.