Max Verstappen reveals the one thing Gianpiero Lambiase asked him before Red Bull exit

Max Verstappen has revealed the one thing that race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase asked him before deciding to join McLaren.

It was announced last week that Lambiase would join McLaren as their Chief Racing Officer in 'no later' than 2028.

He has worked at Red Bull since 2015, initially alongside Daniil Kvyat before becoming Verstappen's race engineer when he joined the team in 2016.

Since 2024, Lambiase has been Red Bull's Head of Racing - effectively a sporting director role - following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, while still operating as Verstappen's race engineer.

The pairing have formed a successful relationship over the years, with Verstappen winning four consecutive Drivers' Championships between 2021 and 2024.

The Dutchman suggested to Ziggo Sport in 2021 that he would 'stop' if Lambiase decided to leave the team.

While it is unclear whether those opinions have changed in the five years since, Verstappen did suggest to BBC Radio 5 Live's Jennie Gow after the Japanese Grand Prix that he was considering his future in the sport over the new 2026 regulations.

Now, in a new interview with Dutch outlet Viaplay, Verstappen has revealed that he was approached by his race engineer and close friend Lambiase with one simple question before he decided to take up the McLaren role.

"He told me what kind of offer he'd received," Verstappen recalled.

"I said, 'You'd be daft not to take it'.

"We've already achieved everything together and then he gets such a fantastic offer, especially with his family in mind and the security it would bring him.

"He asked me for my approval, so to speak, and I told him he absolutely had to go for it. He really wanted to here that from me."

Verstappen and Lambiase - often referred to as 'GP' - have worked together since 2016 (Image: Getty)

Verstappen's father, Jos, revealed earlier this month that he had also spoken to Lambiase before he decided to accept McLaren's offer.

Read more: Max Verstappen retirement update given as father makes revealing comment on race engineer exit

"We knew for a while and we also knew when it was going to happen," Verstappen senior told RaceXpress.

"We have another year and a half to two years to work with him. It's a huge opportunity for him, so we understand. We also told him to do it and grab it with both hands."