Aston Martin Target Verstappen’s Longtime Engineer Gianpiero Lambiase for Senior Leadership Role

Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer and close confidant, Gianpiero Lambiase, has emerged as a potential target for Aston Martin as the Silverstone-based team explores options for a senior leadership role. Speculation over Lambiase’s future intensified after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, following an emotional post-race radio exchange with Verstappen.

After Verstappen’s race win fell short of securing the championship, Lambiase told his driver:

“You can be proud of that mate, hold your head up high.” Verstappen replied cryptically: “We showed them one final time who’s boss.”

The emotional tone of the exchange, combined with Lambiase’s visible reaction on the pit wall, sparked paddock chatter that the Italian, known throughout Formula 1 as “GP” may have completed his final race as Verstappen’s race engineer. The pair have worked together since 2016, forming one of the most successful driver-engineer partnerships in modern F1.

While it has been widely expected that Lambiase would not continue in the same role with Verstappen in 2026, the assumption had been that he would transition into a different position within Red Bull. However, sources suggest an alternative path may now be in play. Insiders indicate that Aston Martin has held discussions with Lambiase about the possibility of joining the team in a senior management capacity.

Although no agreement has been reached, Aston Martin is understood to have explored the idea of Lambiase stepping into a leadership role, potentially at team principal or CEO level, as part of a broader restructuring. This development could also pave the way for a reunion with Adrian Newey.

In November, Aston Martin confirmed that Newey would become team principal from the start of 2026, following Andy Cowell’s decision to step back from the role. Questions were raised at the time about how Newey would balance managerial duties with his core focus on car design. Speaking at the Qatar Grand Prix, Newey made it clear that engineering excellence remains his top priority, saying he was determined not to dilute his design work.

Bringing in a senior figure like Lambiase to help oversee day-to-day operations could be a logical solution. Newey and Lambiase already share a strong working relationship from their highly successful years together at Red Bull, and Aston Martin would view that dynamic as a major asset. One scenario could see Newey serving as team principal on an interim basis before a future reshuffle if Lambiase were to join.

Red Bull, however, would be expected to fight hard to retain Lambiase given his importance to the organization. Verstappen, in particular, has spoken glowingly about his engineer, especially after a season marked by personal challenges that caused Lambiase to miss races in Austria and Belgium.

“It’s been an emotional year,” Verstappen said after Abu Dhabi. “Forget about the results. It’s been tough, but I’m very happy to work with someone that passionate.”

Should Lambiase leave Red Bull, or even move into a different internal role Verstappen would lose another key member of his inner circle. That follows the expected retirement of motorsport advisor Helmut Marko after 2025 and the departure of several senior engineers and mechanics, including chief mechanic Matt Caller, who is heading to Audi.

If a vacancy does open up on Verstappen’s side of the garage, the most likely replacement as race engineer for 2026 would be Simon Rennie, Daniel Ricciardo’s former Red Bull engineer, who filled in for Lambiase during races last season.

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