Red Bull arrives at the Belgian GP without team principal Christian Horner at the helm for the first time since the team’s inception. The 51-year-old was sacked following the British GP, with new boss Laurent Mekies taking charge at Spa.
This has left the team surrounded by uncertainty, as they are used to working under Horner’s direction for 20 years. This could impact their drivers’ focus on the race weekend. With Max Verstappen’s title chances fading, he would need his trusted engineer by his side. However, it has been confirmed that this will not be the case in Belgium.
Max Verstappen will be without Gianpiero Lambiase for the Belgian GP
Gianpiero Lambiase has been by Max Verstappen’s side ever since the Dutchman was promoted to Red Bull in 2016. He oversaw Verstappen’s first win on his debut in Spain and helped him win four world championships. He is the calming voice over the team radio when Verstappen is getting heated.
However, according to Dutch Journalist Erik van Haren, Lambiase will not be at the Belgian GP due to personal matters, much like when he was absent in Austria. This comes at a bad time for Verstappen and Red Bull, with Horner’s departure still fresh. The weather conditions in Belgium are also set to test the driver’s resolve, and Verstappen would have wanted his normal engineer for such testing conditions.
Disruption at Red Bull as Max Verstappen Loses His Right-Hand Man For the Austrian GP
Like in Austria, Simon Rennie will replace Lambiase as Verstappen’s race engineer. We didn’t get to see what their partnership was like over the team radio, as Verstappen only lasted three corners. Kimi Antonelli lost control and locked into turn three, making him and Verstappen retire from the race. But Rennie has experience of being a race engineer at Red Bull, previously working with Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen needs to win in Belgium
To keep his slim title change alive, Max Verstappen needs to win at Spa-Francochamps. He currently sits 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. However, with no Horner leading the team and no Lambiase by his side, this could be a test of character for Verstappen.
Being a four-time world champion, change shouldn’t distract a driver from racing hard. However, the weather element could become a big factor too. Pirelli is also bringing three dry tyres with a ‘step’ in between the medium and hard, and this weekend has a sprint race element. Combine all this with the uncertainty around Red Bull, and Verstappen has a tough job on his hands.
Pirelli’s Bold Tyre Plan at Spa Could Be Washed Away by Relentless Belgian Rain
Losing to the McLarens here is Spa could spell the end of Verstappen’s campaign as he looks to emulate Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive championships. But Spa is his “favourite” track on the calendar, and he will have the support of most of the fans trackside. Rain can be an equaliser, meaning McLaren can be beaten. For Verstappen’s championship hopes, he needs to win.
