Max Verstappen‘s success in Formula 1 is closely tied to his long-standing collaboration with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, known as GP. For nearly a decade, the Dutch driver and the British engineer have worked side by side, fine-tuning the car setup to Verstappen’s precise preferences during race weekends, establishing a bond that significantly influences his performance.
Since Verstappen’s promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2016, Lambiase has played a crucial role as his race engineer, guiding him through each Grand Prix except for a rare exception earlier this year. Their continuous partnership has allowed GP to anticipate Verstappen’s needs, enabling seamless communication and car adjustments without the need for constant explanation.
How Shared Experience Builds Unspoken Understanding
The hundreds of race weekends spent together have given Lambiase a deep insight into Verstappen’s driving style and preferences. This familiarity means Verstappen rarely has to articulate exactly what he wants from the car, as GP already knows how to tailor setups quickly and efficiently. Explaining the impact of their close working relationship, Verstappen reflected:
“If you would tell me right now, like you need to swap race engineer. I think that’s a very difficult thing to accept just because of when you have a good relationship with your engineer. I almost don’t need to speak because he knows exactly what I need or want from the car. And I think you can hear it on the radio. Of course, we have our fiery comments here and there.” —Max Verstappen, Four-time F1 Champion
This clear connection highlights how critical trust and familiarity are in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1, where split-second decisions can determine race outcomes.
Establishing Trust: The Challenges for New Race Engineer Partnerships
Verstappen has only worked with two full-time race engineers throughout his F1 career. Before joining Red Bull, his first race engineer was Xevi Pujolar during his time at Toro Rosso (now called Racing Bulls). Transitioning to Red Bull Racing marked the start of his enduring partnership with Lambiase. Despite some occasional intense moments on the radio, the rapport between Verstappen and GP remains strong and effective.
When speaking to Red Bull Academy driver Alisha Palmoski and Rokt CEO Bruce Buchanan, Verstappen emphasized the importance of time and informal interaction in building a strong connection with a race engineer. He explained:
“With a race engineer, it’s not always the easiest, especially when you’re new. So I think the more time you get to spend, time together, during a race weekend or when you’re practicing on the simulator, going for dinners, you know, just also a bit outside of the racing environment, just getting to know the person, I think that always helps.” —Max Verstappen, Four-time F1 Champion
This insight underscores how relationships beyond the track contribute to improved communication and trust during races.
Verstappen’s Recent Return to Form
Following a challenging four-race stretch without a podium finish—the longest dry spell since 2018—Verstappen made a strong recovery at the Dutch Grand Prix. This return to the podium not only boosted his confidence but also demonstrated the resilience of his collaboration with GP under pressure.
The synergy between Verstappen and his race engineer remains a vital part of his quest for continued success in Formula 1, reinforcing how teamwork behind the scenes can translate into victories on the track.
