For days after the end of the 2025 season, speculation increased over a possible departure for Max Verstappen’s race engineer and Red Bull’s head of racing. However, Lambiase has decided to stay with the team, as GPblog confirmed on Tuesday.

The decision by the Italian-born engineer was a huge boost to the team and indeed Verstappen, and while it should come as little surprise, given Red Bull’s standing within Formula 1, it also is significant.

It marks another major piece of the puzzle being put together under Mekies’ leadership. In just a few months, he has managed to steady the ship from all the departures announced in the first half of the season, putting the team back in a position to fight for the title with Verstappen — despite having had a mountain to climb both in terms of points and in closing the performance gap to McLaren.

Instead, while defeat came in the championship, Lambiase’s decision to stay represents a major victory for the Frenchman. It brings an end — at least for now — to a long-running exodus that began in recent years and saw a host of key figures who shaped Red Bull’s success over the past two decades walk away.

Key figures such as Rob Marshall, Adrian Newey, Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, Will Courtenay and, more recently, Helmut Marko — arguably the last remaining pillar of the old guard, and the final bridge to the previous era.

All top-tier names who are now helping to fuel the success of rival teams, even though Red Bull does not appear to have suffered too badly on the performance front, judging by the results in the closing phase of the season.

Lambiase, too, belongs to what is now a veteran generation within the team, boasting more than a decade of experience. However, while Marko was nearing the twilight of his career, “GP” still has plenty left to give and remains a vital asset — particularly with Verstappen, whose name is likely return to the centre of the driver-market rumour mill should the RB22 fall short of expectations.

The Dutchman has already lost one of his closest allies in Marko. Losing Lambiase as well would have been a far tougher blow to digest — even if Verstappen’s top priority remains the car’s competitiveness and harmony within the team.

Still, having someone who knows the environment inside out — and who over the years has managed Verstappen flawlessly — is invaluable, forming one of the most iconic driver-engineer partnerships in Formula 1 history.

The future remains uncertain for everyone, but being able to focus solely on the track and on car development — rather than being forced back into the market — is a clear sign that things are heading in the right direction, and Red Bull can take some comfort in that.