Why do Verstappen and 'GP' work so well together? 'That's how it should be'

'Verstappen and Lambiase have that'

Verstappen and Lambiase often go viral for their chats over the team radio during F1 weekends. Sometimes, the pair laugh together, while in other occasions, Lambiase is not affraid to challenge the determined Dutchman. Verstappen also appreciates that a lot in 'GP'.

Smedley also finds Lambiase's attitude admirable. " I love Gianpiero. He’s such a great guy," the engineer said in the Red Flags Podcast. "I’m constantly telling him his time’s up in Formula 1 now he’s had his world championships so stop being greedy and come and work for me," the Briton added jokingly, as Smedley owns the Global Karting League, founded by himself. "But I love GP, and he’s very much like an engineer how I was."

The Brit stresses that both driver and engineer are trying to get the best out of the car. "You’ve just got to have this completely open relationship. sometimes you’re going to get pissed off with him, he’s going to get pissed off with you. But, at the end of the day, it’s like any deep relationship, or true relationship – you can have those moments, and then, five minutes later, it’s all okay," Smedley explained, praising the way the two communicate at Red Bull.

Ever since Verstappen got promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2016, the pair have been working together. With Hamilton's departure from Mercedes and Peter Bonnington not following him to Ferrari, they are also now the longest-standing duo in the competition. Recently, Lambiase has also been promoted to Head of Racing, taking over some of Jonathan Wheatley's (former sporting director, set to become Audi's team principal) duties. Still, he will also continue to be Verstappen's race engineer in the 2025 season as well.

This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder

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