Formula 1 is the ultimate team sport. And the relationship between a driver and his race engineer is one of utmost importance. But how should the chemistry be between the two? Friendly? Or strictly professional? Well, Max Verstappen and his engineer apparently take it to a whole new level!

Max Verstappen has been turning heads ever since he joined Formula 1. But since 2021, he’s been in a mood to dominate. That being said, while he’s been putting in stonking laps on the track, most of his operation has been orchestrated behind the scenes by one man, his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase.

While talking to RacingNews365.com, Verstappen opened up about his relationship with Lambiase. When asked whether they are more like brothers than colleagues, he said, “Probably more like a marriage. Sometimes (we’re) screaming and shouting a little bit at each other, (but) it’s good. We just have to determine who is the husband and who is the wife!”

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Max Verstappen is arguably a polarizing figure in the Formula 1 paddock. Naturally, you’d assume his combustible temperament wouldn’t ensure him having many friends in the paddock. But along with Lambiase, Verstappen does share an exceptional bond with another paddock frequenter.

Max Verstappen shares words of wisdom he once gave Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo is back home! F1 isn’t always a fairytale, but sometimes, it delivers. After a torrid spell in the midfield, Ricciardo is seemingly back where he always belonged, albeit in a reserve driver role. But back when he first decided to quit Red Bull, his then-teammate Verstappen had a few words of wisdom for the Honey Badger.

Talking about Ricciardo’s exit from the Milton-Keynes-based outfit, the 2x World Champion told Formule1.nl, “It would have been better for Daniel if he had stayed longer at Red Bull at the time.” 

He then went on to reveal what he told the Australian about its aftermath.

“I did talk to him about it. It’s also about feeling comfortable somewhere. That was no longer the case at one point.”

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Now that Ricciardo is back at Red Bull, will he ever be able to be back in the running for that coveted F1 race seat?