The ripples made by Gianpiero Lambiase’s imminent departure from Red Bull Racing are still being felt, and now Juan Pablo Montoya has weighed in on the growing debate about it.
Gianpiero Lambiase, a highly respected, long-time Race Engineer to Max Verstappen, and considered one of the strongest voices on the pit wall, is leaving Red Bull at the end of 2028.
McLaren announced his appointment earlier today as their new Chief Racing Officer, meaning he will take on a much larger role than he did with Red Bull.
For Juan Pablo Montoya, the decision is less surprising than it seems on the surface.
Speaking to AS Colombia, the former F1 race winner said, “It is interesting, though, because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull. It’s also a role that Red Bull could have known he could have gotten elsewhere.”
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Montoya’s comments hint at a deeper issue. Red Bull, a team known for tightly controlling its internal structure, may have underestimated Lambiase’s long-term ambitions.
Juan Pablo Montoya Speaks On Gianpiero Lambiase’s Exit
Given his track record alongside Max Verstappen, including multiple championship-winning campaigns, there is a strong argument that Red Bull could have created a similar senior role to retain him.
“I don’t know for sure, but when I look at all he has achieved, I personally think it is a role that Red Bull certainly could have given him as well,” Montoya added.
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Beyond the internal reshuffle, the bigger concern for Red Bull is what this means for Max Verstappen. Gianpiero Lambiase has been more than just a race engineer; he has been a constant presence during the Dutchman’s rise to dominance. Losing that connection raises fresh questions about stability within the team.
And there’s already pressure building on the track. Red Bull’s performance has dipped in the early part of the season, and rivals are closing in; Montoya believes that if that trend continues, Max Verstappen’s future could quickly become a major talking point.
He pointed to Mercedes as a potential destination, especially with team boss Toto Wolff having long expressed interest in signing Max Verstappen.
Montoya said, “Red Bull is on the slower side. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely be looking for a way out, for a way to leave as soon as possible.”
Right now, Gianpiero Lambiase’s move is about career progression. But in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, one key exit often triggers a chain reaction.
Also read:McLaren Chief Zak Brown Welcomes Gianpiero Lambiase, Says ‘Excited for the Future’
