Rival team targeting Max Verstappen's close aide Gianpiero Lambiase: Reports

Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is reportedly being targeted by Aston Martin for a senior role ahead of the 2026 F1 season, according to The Race. Sources say discussions have taken place between Lambiase and the Silverstone-based team as it looks to strengthen its leadership under incoming team principal Adrian Newey.

Gianpiero Lambiase, widely known in the F1 paddock as "GP," has been a key figure within Red Bull Racing since 2016, engineering Max Verstappen to multiple world championships and emerging as one of the sport’s most respected engineers. His future had been the subject of speculation following the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where a visibly emotional radio exchange with Verstappen led many to wonder if his current role was nearing its end.

While rumors had circulated that Lambiase might transition into a different position within Red Bull, The Race reports that Aston Martin has initiated talks about a potential switch. The discussions are said to centre on a senior management role, possibly to help support Adrian Newey’s expanded responsibilities.

Newey took up the mantle of team principal after Andy Cowell was removed from the role in November. It is now being reported that Lambiase could be approached for a role as high as CEO or team principal, meaning Newey can return to his primary responsibilities as the Managing Technical Partner once again.

Lambiase’s experience and long partnership with Verstappen could make him an attractive addition to the team’s senior ranks. The British-Italian engineer has also worked with Newey in the past at Red Bull.

If Lambiase does depart, Red Bull would likely turn to Simon Rennie, who stood in as Verstappen’s race engineer during Lambiase’s absences earlier this year, to lead the Dutchman's race engineering duties in 2026.

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Max Verstappen reflects on McLaren's teammate dynamic

Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Max Verstappen has explained that he would always enforce a clear number one and number two structure if he were in charge of an F1 team. He also claimed that McLaren’s lack of a defined hierarchy during the 2025 season cost them valuable points, ultimately aiding his own late title push in the second half of the year.

Speaking about team dynamics in a recent interview, Verstappen shared his candid views on driver hierarchy within an F1 outfit.

"If I were a team boss, I would always put a clear number one and two in place. Of course, a number two who still scores enough points to compete for the constructors’ title. But a clear number one and two," Verstappen told Viaplay (via Motorsport). "Because McLaren had two drivers, they gave away some things with their strategy. So, of course, we benefited from that too," he added.

After appearing out of contention at the halfway point of the season, Max Verstappen mounted a strong second-half comeback, finishing just two points behind eventual champion Lando Norris. He also moved ahead of Oscar Piastri in the standings after trailing the Aussie by 104 points following Round 15 in the Netherlands.

Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar