Max Verstappen’s race engineer admits ‘biggest fear’ he’s ‘not looking forward to’ after Red Bull’s dominant F1 season

MAX VERSTAPPEN’S race engineer has revealed what his biggest fear is in Formula One.

Gianpiero Lambiase has been the three-time F1 champion’s engineer since he arrived at Red Bull in 2016.

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Max Verstappen has been with Gianpiero Lambiase since arriving at Red Bull in 2016[/caption]

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Lambiase has revealed his biggest fear about the future of F1[/caption]

F1 viewers will recognise his voice whenever Verstappen communicates with the paddock.

Lambiase, nicknamed “GP”, has overseen all of the Dutchman’s 52 career wins, including a record-breaking 17 this season with another two races to go.

However, that has not stopped relentless Verstappen from snapping at Lambiase a couple of times.

The Belgian Grand Prix earlier this season saw Verstappen launch an X-rated rant at his engineer before apologising after the race.

But with the rest of the field always trying to close the gap, Lambiase has revealed he is not looking forward to seeing how Verstappen treats him when the pressure is really on.

Speaking on the Talking Bull podcast with Verstappen next to him, British-Italian Lambiase said: “My biggest fear is the moment that we do have increased competition and we’re not winning every race.

“Because, you see how he’s treating me at the moment and he’s winning every race! I’m really not looking forward to it.”

The joke prompted laughter from Verstappen, who had earlier explained how he does not get bored of winning.

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The 26-year-old said: “When do we get bored? Not winning. This motivates me every single day to come back here at the factory to prepare for the next races.

“But also once you’re there, it’s the best feeling out there. So for me, it’s not boring at all.”

With eight years under their belt together, they have a great working relationship and spend a lot of time together around the track.

Indeed, in 2021 Verstappen threatened to quit the sport if Lambiase left F1.

However, Lambiase explained that they do spend time away from one another in order to stay fresh.

He said: “We’ve been together for eight seasons now. There are so many races and there’s so much time that you are forced to be together.

“I think it would be unfair to expect Max to spend even more time with me or vice versa when he’s finally got a weekend off.”

Verstappen added: “I come to the UK to do simulator stuff. Then I’m really happy to leave the UK to go back home.

“Like GP says, we’re doing so many races together. It’s also nice to spend time with your close friends and family… when you have time.”

Verstappen claimed another win at the Brazilian Grand Prix in what proved to be a nightmare weekend for 2021 title rival Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton has revealed he has given up booze in a bid to help him rediscover his race-winning form.

Although, given the struggles of the Mercedes W14 car, he could be waiting until 2024.

The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in two weeks is not likely to provide a lot of joy for Mercedes either due to their slow straight-line speed.

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Verstappen and Lambiase have worked together for eight years[/caption]

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