F1 LIVE | Stroll suffers difficult GTWC debut with teammates racking up penalties

Max Verstappen's right-hand man, race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to join McLaren in 2028, sparking speculation over whether the Dutchman could be the next to leave Red Bull, or F1 entirely, following multiple outbursts against the 2026 'Mario Kart' regulations.

Max's father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, has shared his thoughts on the shock exit, and whether it will impact his son's future in the sport.

Speaking to RaceXpress, the four-time champion's father responded to the news.

"We’ve known for a while, and we also knew when it would happen," said Jos.

"We still have a year and a half, two years to work with him. It’s a huge opportunity for him and we understand it. We also said: you should do it, and grab it with both hands. The rest is up to Red Bull to replace him. We’ll see."

After winning his first title, Verstappen said he would leave the sport if Lambiase quit F1, but according to Jos, the Dutchman's outlook might be slightly different five years on.

“I think things have changed," the former Benetton driver said.

“Certainly after four championships, you’ve achieved a lot together. The latter is up to Max, but I think he’ll just continue.”

Elsewhere, Lance Stroll has revealed that he has spoken to Max Verstappen prior to his GT racing debut this weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard.

Stroll is set to take part in the GT World Challenge Europe season-opener for Comtoyou Racing, and will be behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO alongside Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya, a junior driver with the Silverstone-based team.

The Canadian explained how he hatched the plan during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, before sharing a brief chat he had with the Dutchman, who's been more heavily involved in GT racing over the last year or so.

"[I spoke with Max] briefly in Suzuka when I had the idea," Stroll said.