Gianpiero Lambiase recalls ‘intimidating encounter’ with Max Verstappen after Red Bull promotion

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Gianpiero Lambiase has spoken about his first impression of Max Verstappen after the Dutchman’s promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull. 

It has been 10 years since Verstappen made history and became the youngest Formula 1 driver to win a Grand Prix.

At the time, an 18-year-old Verstappen won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix on his Red Bull debut, finishing ahead of Ferrari duo Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.

Verstappen had been trusted to replace Daniil Kvyat, which Helmut Marko revealed was a decision that Christian Horner ‘didn’t agree’ with.

Since that day in Barcelona, Verstappen has etched himself in F1 history, winning four consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024. 

Gianpiero Lambiase recalls ‘intimidating encounter’ with Max Verstappen

Speaking recently to The Athletic, Verstappen’s race engineer, Lambiase, recalled his first impression of the Dutchman.

The 45-year-old described Verstappen as ‘very intimidating’ and, unlike other young drivers, was already asking questions from the get-go.

Lambiase said: “It was only my second season. So perhaps I was still trying to establish myself and finding my way. He definitely was, despite being an 18-year-old, very intimidating.

“I had worked with and been introduced to plenty of young drivers over the years. And most of them are pretty subservient; they just sit there quietly looking up at you, just believing everything you say.

“Max was different. He was like, ‘Well, how do I go about this? Where’s this?’ He’s already poking and probing.”

When asked how he felt after Verstappen won his first race, Lambiase added: “It was just pure elation and relief. It was the absolute best possible start to what had, 10 days earlier, been quite an intimidating encounter between the two of us.”

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Gianpiero Lambiase says Max Verstappen ‘hasn’t changed’ since Red Bull debut

Last month, it was confirmed that Lambiase will leave Red Bull for McLaren in 2028, but Verstappen’s first victory will forever be one of his favourite moments of his career.

Lambiase said: “If I think about my career highlights, or the moments that come to mind immediately, it’s his first race win, his first championship.

“There’s a few other scattered moments. But the first win and the first championship are the cherries on the cake.”

Lambiase went on to say that Verstappen is still the same and hasn’t changed his character since the pair first met 10 years ago.

He continued: “He’s gone from an 18-year-old — and I think I can call him a child at that time — to becoming a father. I’ve seen everything in between.

“It’s been fascinating. What hasn’t changed is his character and him as a person. He’s the same Max as he was 10 years ago.”