'Lambiase may have charisma: 'Goddammit, you need to listen now!'

31 July 2023 at 14:25

Last update 31 July 2023 at 14:44

Perhaps the most striking thing about the Belgian Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps: the altercations between Max Verstappen and race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. In the Telegraaf Formula 1 podcast, Christijan Albers explains that Lambiase is also allowed to exude authority.

Trammel within Red Bull?

"It is quite normal to have friction between driver and engineer," Albers began. "The important thing is that the two always find a solution with each other anyway. You will always have those situations. Gianpiero Lambiase is another very calm one among them. In my time I had to deal with GP and Jody Egginton, well then the headphones flew through the garage boxes," the former Formula 1 driver continued.

"You will always have that friction. You can tell from that board radio that GP was done with it for a while. His job is not for Verstappen, but his job is for Red Bull. They just want to get as many wins as possible and as many points as possible for the constructors' championship," explained Albers, who previously said the sprint weekend is causing slight panic at Red Bull Racing.

Lambiase versus Verstappen

"He [Lambiase] may also have that look, because he is just a good engineer. It's as simple as that. As an engineer, you are also allowed to have good arrogance for once and say, 'Goddammit, you have to listen now'," Albers said.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner previously explained that after Sunday's race, things are likely to be just fine again between the two Red Bull men. At the podium ceremony after the British Grand Prix, they were still uncorking champagne bottles together.