Verstappen reveals ‘tough’ relationship with key Red Bull F1 team member

Despite having had “tough moments” with Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen has acknowledged that he and the race engineer “get on so well.”.

During his time at Red Bull, the Dutchman gained a reputation for being quite vocal on the radio, especially when it came to Lambiase.

Verstappen ignored instructions to manage his tyres at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this year, choosing instead to set fast lap times when out front. Lambiase reprimanded Verstappen, telling him to “use your head a bit more.”.

Verstappen aborted his lap early during the unusual warm-up session before sprint qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix, and Lambiase told the 26-year-old that “there was more learning” to be done.

Verstappen eventually won the sprint race, much to the delight of his team, and secured his third straight world championship victory.

He has now acknowledged the significance of his friendship with Lambiase, a man of “strong character.”.

Verstappen told Sky Sports F1, “[It’s] Incredibly important.”.

It’s very uncommon to have such a strong connection with an engineer, in my opinion, and I believe that a race engineer really needs to comprehend you.

“We got right to work, winning our first race together in a crazy way.

Because I and he are strong characters, you too experience difficult times, but that’s what I like about them because I can tell him when things are bad or good, and he can do the same for me.
I believe that is why we get along so well.

“That’s why we can be quite vocal at times on the radio, leading some listeners to believe that we don’t get along, but in reality, we have a great deal of respect for one another and always strive for the best outcomes in all circumstances.
“.

Verstappen asserts, “I know what to do.”.

Verstappen has achieved success that places him among the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, but he still has work to do and room to grow.

He has the opportunity, at the young age of 26, to overtake Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton’s record of seven world championships in terms of race victories.

Verstappen is confident that his extensive Formula One experience will carry him through races without the need for additional advice from Lambiase.

He went on to say that “he really tries to also coach me through the race.”.

“Of course, I know a lot of things on my own when I’m driving, but it’s always nice to have that voice.

“Even though I sometimes think to myself “Okay, I know what to do” while I’m driving, it’s still nice to have him in the background.
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