'I stop too'- Max Verstappen's retirement claim on race engineer leaving Red Bull

Max Verstappen may already revealed what his plans are for race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase leaving Red Bull at the end of next year.

Verstappen and Gianpiero “GP” Lambiase have been working together since 2016, when the Dutch driver was first promoted to Red Bull at just 18 years old.

Since then, the pair have won it all together, building a strong relationship as they claimed four consecutive F1 Drivers' Championship titles from 20221-2024.

Therefore, it came as a massive surprise when it was confirmed that following the end of his Red Bull contract in late 2027, Lambiase would be leaving the team to join F1 rivals McLaren.

The 45-year-old is reported to have agreed a huge multi-million-pound deal with the Woking-based team, despite interest from both Aston Martin and Williams.

Naturally, news of Lambiase's departure has raised questions about Verstappen's future at Red Bull, with reports throughout 2026 suggesting that the Dutchman is strongly considering retiring at the end of the year.

After winning his first title with Red Bull in 2021, Verstappen confirmed he would leave the sport if he was no longer able to drive with GP as his race engineer.

"I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too," he told Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport.

"Of course, we can be pretty strict with each other sometimes, but I want that too. He has to tell me when I'm being a jerk and I have to tell him. I always told him that."

Should Verstappen intend to follow through in the claim, it's almost certain this would mean he would leave the sport altogether, with a move to McLaren to follow GP extremely unlikely.

Verstappen and Lambiase have worked together at Red Bull for a decade. (Image: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Lambiase's move comes just months after rumours circulated that he would leave Red Bull following the end of the 2025 season due to personal reasons.

Addressing the rumours following the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen said: “It’s been an emotional year. “Forget about the results this year. I also don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough.

"But I’m very happy to be able to work with someone that passionate. Of course, he is my race engineer, but I see him as my friend. We have lived through so many emotional things together and fantastic achievements. I’m sure he was a bit emotional after the flag.

“So, I’m really looking forward to leaving here and catching up with him because it’s not been easy at times for him.

“I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone that good. A proper example of someone who never gave up this season, even through the difficult times.”

Lambiase is expected to take up the role of head of race engineering at McLaren, with the chance to become team principal sometime in the future.