’s long-time Purple Bull Racing race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is reportedly being focused by a rival group, elevating questions on a possible off-track shake-up involving one of the profitable driver-engineer pairings of the trendy period.
, Aston Martin has recognized Lambiase as a possible candidate for a senior management function because the Silverstone-based group continues to restructure forward of the 2026 rules.
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The report notes that discussions have taken place, though no settlement has been finalized at this stage.
Oracle Purple Bull Racing Head of Racing Gianpiero Lambiase celebrates with the constructors’ trophy through the 2025 F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas. Kym Illman/Getty Pictures
Lambiase, identified all through the paddock as “GP,” has been at Verstappen’s aspect by means of Purple Bull’s dominant period, overseeing technique, race administration, and the communication that has underpinned a number of championship runs.
His direct, typically intense radio exchanges with Verstappen have turn into a defining characteristic of Purple Bull’s on-track operations.
Aston Martin Needs Extra Than a Race Engineer
The Race report means that Aston Martin’s curiosity extends past a standard engineering function, with Lambiase doubtlessly being thought of for a broader administration place.
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With Adrian Newey formally from 2026, changing Andy Cowell, the place being mentioned for “GP” is known to sit down alongside that construction, nearer to a senior operational or CEO-level function inside the group’s evolving management setup.
Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey walks within the paddock through the 2025 F1 Grand Prix of Qatar. Jayce Illman/Getty Pictures
Nonetheless, the report additionally notes that Purple Bull stays eager to retain Lambiase, underlining his significance to each Verstappen and the group’s long-term success.
The hypothesis gained extra traction, serving as an emotional throwback to the top of the 2025 season, when “GP” informed Verstappen over group radio, “You could be pleased with that mate, maintain your head up excessive.” Verstappen responded, “We confirmed them one last time who’s boss.”
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Max Verstappen Made His Personal Transfer
The timing of the report is notable as properly, coming shortly after Verstappen himself made headlines by following non-public GT testing.
Max Verstappen assessments a Mercedes-AMG GT3 through the Winter Take a look at.Miguel Reis/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures
Whereas unrelated to F1, the event highlighted the Purple Bull driver’s rising off-track tasks and broader motorsport pursuits, including one other layer to an offseason already full of hypothesis round his wider racing ecosystem.
Returning to “GP,” there is no such thing as a indication that Lambiase has determined to depart Purple Bull, and any potential transfer would signify a big shift for each groups concerned, regardless of the curiosity.
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For now, the state of affairs stays one to look at because the paddock’s off-track maneuvering intensifies heading into .
This story was initially printed by on Dec 27, 2025, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
