Max Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase have resolved their heated Hungarian Grand Prix radio exchange after a sit-down with their team boss in Belgium.
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, didn’t shy away from expressing his frustrations during the Hungarian Grand Prix. His aggressive radio messages to the pit wall drew a lot of attention. At one moment, he lashed out, “No mate, don’t give me that bullshit now. You guys gave me this f***ing strategy, okay? I’m trying to rescue what’s left. F*** sake.”
This led to criticism of Verstappen’s behavior, with some accusing him of disrespecting his team’s efforts. Despite his initial defiance, telling critics they could “f**k off,” Verstappen appeared more conciliatory upon arriving in Belgium for the final race before the summer break.
Motorsport.com reveals that Verstappen and Lambiase, alongside team boss Christian Horner and technical director Pierre Wache, discussed the incident in a Red Bull motorhome. The team understood Verstappen’s frustration but emphasized the need for boundaries in behavior.
Additionally, Verstappen and Lambiase were seen having a private conversation near the Red Bull trucks at Spa-Francorchamps. Known for their honest relationship, they were able to address the issue without letting it fester.
Sources say the issue has now been resolved. The polite tone of their radio communication during Friday in Belgium was a clear message that everything was back to normal. An amusing discussion about session timings underscored this point.
Verstappen explained his radio outburst as a result of his ultra-competitive nature. “People that don’t like my language don’t have to listen to it. Turn the volume down,” he stated. He added, “I am very driven to success. I think I’ve proven that already. And I always want to optimize stuff.”
Reflecting on the incident, Verstappen remarked, “My opinion is that it needs to be said at the time to maybe also try and force that the second pitstop would have been a bit different.” He emphasized the team’s open-mindedness and critical approach, which they believe works well for them.
The air is now cleared, allowing Verstappen and Lambiase to focus on the rest of the season. The incident, however heated, appears to be water under the bridge.
