Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Jolyon Palmer believes the departure of Gianpiero Lambiase from Red Bull Racing could be a decisive factor in Max Verstappen leaving the team at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Lambiase, who has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, is set to leave Red Bull at the end of his contract in 2027 to join McLaren. In his new role, he will become chief racing officer, with long-term expectations that he could progress toward a team principal position.
The move is considered significant given the long-standing working relationship between Lambiase and Verstappen, which has been a key component of Red Bull’s competitive success over the past decade. Their technical communication and operational alignment have consistently been viewed as central to performance execution.
Palmer argues that losing such a pivotal figure further destabilizes Red Bull at a time when the team is already facing competitive challenges and internal changes.
“That’s exactly how I see it. We’re already talking about Max probably leaving the team at some point,” Palmer said on the F1 Nation podcast.
He also pointed to Red Bull’s current lack of competitiveness, combined with a series of personnel changes, as factors limiting the team’s ability to quickly return to the front of the grid.
“You’ve got Red Bull not being competitive, and not having the easiest route back to being competitive when you factor in all the personnel who have left,” he explained.
According to Palmer, Lambiase plays a crucial role as the link between driver and team, making his departure particularly impactful on Verstappen’s environment within the garage.
“For me, GP is such a linchpin for him; it connects the driver to the team. This news gives more insight into why Max isn’t particularly happy,” he added.
Palmer further suggested that without a clear development roadmap and visible progress, Verstappen is unlikely to commit to Red Bull in the long term.
“On many levels, I just don’t see him sticking around particularly long, probably beyond the end of this year, unless there’s a concrete plan and clear signs of improvement,” he stated.
With Red Bull navigating both competitive pressure and structural transitions, Verstappen’s future has become a central topic in the Formula 1 driver market. The team’s response to key departures and its ability to deliver performance gains will be critical in determining whether it can retain its lead driver into the next phase of the championship.
Baca Juga
Jolyon Palmer menilai keluarnya Gianpiero Lambiase memperbesar peluang Max Verstappen meninggalkan Red Bull pada akhir F1 2026.
Toto Wolff menegaskan Mercedes tidak akan dominan penuh di F1 2026 setelah tekanan dari rival meningkat sejak GP Jepang.
Charles Leclerc menyebut Ferrari sebagai keluarga, tetap berkomitmen meski belum membawa gelar sejak bergabung pada Formula 1 musim 2019.
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