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Max Verstappen's inner circle is unravelling -- and so are Red Bull's hopes of keeping him
The departure of Max Verstappen's longtime race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will add fuel to the inferno that is building over the four-time world champion's immediate F1 future, writes ESPN's Nate Saunders.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Max Verstappen
Motor Sports
Verstappen's trusted engineer to join McLaren
Max Verstappen's long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren at the expiry of his Red Bull contract, assuming the role of chief racing officer.
Max Verstappen
Formula 1
Will Verstappen's F1 future be influenced by his engineer leaving Red Bull?
Nate Saunders reacts to Gianpiero Lambiase's decision to join McLaren from Red Bull at the end of the 2027 F1 season.
2:50
News
F1 discussing rule changes for 2026 season
Formula 1 has started discussions around whether to make small rule changes for the rest of the 2026 season.
News
When's the next F1 race, and why is there such a long break?
Three races into a new season and an all-new era of regulations, the Formula 1 2026 season has hit an unexpected pause.
Motor Sports
The good, the bad and the ugly of F1's new 2026 regulations
F1's new-for-2026 regulations have come in for considerable criticism, but there have been positives, too. ESPN weighs up the good and the bad.
McLaren
Formula One
McLaren's Stella calls on F1 to prioritise safety
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has called on Formula 1 to prioritise safety concerns surrounding the sport's new regulations after Haas driver Oliver Bearman was lucky to avoid a serious injury in an accident at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Alpine
Formula One
Alpine denies Colapinto 'sabotage,' slams abuse
Alpine has written an open letter refuting "completely unfounded" fan allegations that they have been sabotaging the car and competitive chances of their Argentinan driver Franco Colapinto.
Max Verstappen
Motor Sports
Why new rules have Verstappen on the brink of walking away from F1
Max Verstappen predicted F1's new rule set would underwhelm, and 2026 is proving him correct, so much so that he might just quit the sport entirely.
Formula One
F1 Academy adds races after Saudi cancellation
The all-women F1 Academy has added extra races to their existing schedule in Montreal and Austin to account for the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.
Red Bull
Formula One
Brundle to 'boring' Max: Leave, or stop talking
Martin Brundle has said Max Verstappen should either leave Formula 1 "or stop talking about it," claiming his comments are "boring" and that no driver is "indispensable."
McLaren
Formula One
Norris: F1 drivers aren't racing, we're yo-yoing
Lando Norris has said there were moments during the Japanese Grand Prix when he was "at the mercy" of his McLaren's power unit
News
Wolff: 'Broken glass' makes Horner return difficult
Toto Wolff has cast doubt over Christian Horner's return to Formula 1 by claiming his rival could be dealing with the "repercussions" of having "broken a lot of glass" in the sport.
Formula One
Formula 1 in 2026: Full schedule as race calendar drops from 24 to 22
All the key dates for a much-anticipated 2026 Formula 1 season in a new era of regulations and 11 teams.
Red Bull
Formula One
Red Bull play down Max exit: 'Happier' in fast car
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has played down suggestions his star driver Max Verstappen could walk away from F1.
Red Bull
Formula One
Max Verstappen vs. F1's new rules: Every complaint this season -- and our verdict
Amid a wave of complaints from F1 four-time world champion Max Verstappen, ESPN's Nate Saunders examines every one and gives his verdict on whether they are warranted.
Red Bull
Formula One
Hill: Verstappen may need a break from F1
Ex-Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has recommended a break from the sport for Max Verstappen following his explosive comments about potentially walking away.
Red Bull
Formula One
Verstappen considering quitting F1 at end of 2026
Max Verstappen has said he is considering retiring from Formula 1 at the end of 2026, admitting he is "not enjoying the sport."
Kimi Antonelli
Motor Sports
Forget luck: Antonelli shows he's an F1 title threat in Japan
Yes, the timing of a safety car helped Kimi Antonelli to Sunday's win at the Japanese GP, but he was still the fastest car on track when it happened.
Formula One
Russell laments safety car timing after coming 4th
George Russell believes everything is going against him after Kimi Antonelli moved into the lead of the world championship following his victory at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli
Formula 1
Will Kimi Antonelli be able to maintain F1 championship lead?
Laurence Edmondson reacts to Kimi Antonelli's Japanese Grand Prix win.
1:53
Max Verstappen
Formula 1
Saunders: Verstappen retiring would be awful for Formula 1
Nate Saunders reacts to reports suggesting Max Verstappen is considering his future in F1.
1:47
Charles Leclerc
Formula 1
Leclerc 'still convinced' new F1 cars are good for racing
Charles Leclerc reflects on his third-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.
0:34
Kimi Antonelli
Formula 1
Antonelli reflects on second straight F1 win after Japanese GP victory
Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri speak after the Japanese Grand Prix.
0:54
Oliver Bearman
Formula 1
Sainz: FIA ignored warnings before Bearman crash
Carlos Sainz hit out at Formula 1 and its governing body FIA for ignoring driver warnings predicting the type of crash Oliver Bearman had at the Japanese Grand Prix, saying they resisted changes "because the racing is exciting".
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