After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there was plenty of hypothesis about Giampiero Lambiase’s future at Pink Bull.
Lambiase was extraordinarily emotional within the aftermath of Sunday’s closing race of the season, wherein driver Max Verstappen misplaced the F1 title by two factors, and was seen crying together with his head in his arms towards the pit wall.
The 45-year-old British-Italian, Pink Bull’s race director and Verstappen’s race engineer, was consoled by a number of teammates, together with outgoing Helmut Marko.
“You may be pleased with that man, maintain your breath excessive,” Lambiase advised Verstappen over the crew radio after the race.
Verstappen mentioned: “We confirmed them one final time who’s the boss.
“Congratulations, the comeback within the second half of the season is admittedly nice. We’re actually, actually pleased with it, however do not get too upset. I am by no means upset, and I am actually pleased with everybody for by no means giving up.”
“Even when it is actually tough, simply maintain pushing and believing that you will succeed once more. Thanks a lot to everybody. And thanks to Honda for all these years with us and giving us such nice success. We undoubtedly completed it off in fashion, so thanks a lot.”
Lambiase’s emotional response and change with Verstappen led followers to invest that this is likely to be his final race for Pink Bull.
Pink Bull has made a collection of organizational modifications in latest months following the sacking of former crew principal and CEO Christian Horner.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Marko would even be stepping down from his function as motorsport advisor, a place he held on the crew for 20 years.
Lambiase is anticipated to stay till 2026
Lambiase and Verstappen kind iconic double act
Nevertheless, based on ESPN, Lambiase will stay at Pink Bull and proceed as Verstappen’s race engineer in 2026.
Lambiase missed two races this yr for private causes, with Simon Rennie changing engineer Verstappen in Austria and Belgium.
Dutch journalist Jackie Martens claimed Lambius was additionally scheduled to overlook Qatar, however Verstappen nonetheless had an opportunity to grow to be world champion, so he modified his plans and traveled to the penultimate spherical of the season within the Center East.
That in all probability goes some method to explaining Lambiase’s seen emotion after the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi, particularly given how shut Verstappen got here to profitable the title on the finish of a grueling 24-round marketing campaign.
Verstappen mentioned on the FIA press convention after the race: “It has been an emotional yr. I need you to neglect in regards to the outcomes this yr. I do not wish to go into an excessive amount of element, however it’s been robust. However I am very pleased to work with somebody so passionate.”
“After all he is my race engineer, however I take into account him a pal. We have been by plenty of emotional occasions and nice achievements collectively. I believe he bought a bit emotional after the flag.”
“So I am actually trying ahead to getting out of right here and catching up with him, as a result of it hasn’t been straightforward for him at instances. I am very proud to have the ability to work with such participant. He is an excellent instance of a participant who by no means gave up even when instances have been robust this season.”
