Max Verstappen and his Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase are set for some time apart following their latest radio spat.
Verstappen took the 50th win of his career at the US Grand Prix but, unlike most of his wins this year, it was far from plain sailing for the world champion. Managing a brake issue towards the end of the race, he came under mounting pressure from old rival Lewis Hamilton, who was less than two seconds back at the finish.
As he nursed the problem, the Dutchman snapped at Lambiase on several occasions when his engineer came on the radio to offer information. An irate Verstappen screamed back, telling him not to talk to him in a braking zone.
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Well used to his driver’s mid-race tirades, Lambiase replied in deadpan fashion, saying: “Understood.” Then, at the finish, as he congratulated Verstappen, he said: “Well done, enjoy the celebrations and I’ll see you Friday.”
Verstappen replied: “Well done, tough race, but it’s good.” Explaining Lambiase’s comment, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports: “The marital bliss between the two of them rolls on! No, he’s [Lambiase] had to rush back to the UK, he’s rushing to catch a flight.”
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Verstappen was then the one to receive an earful as he was booed when he took to the podium. It is believed most of the abuse came from fans of Verstappen’s Mexican team-mate Sergio Perez, who finished a low-key fifth.
Early leader Lando Norris, who passed pole-sitter Charles Leclerc at the start, came home third ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. A frustrated Leclerc had to settle for sixth after a poor strategy call from Ferrari.
Verstappen joins Hamilton (103 wins), Michael Schumacher (91), Sebastian Vettel (53) and Alain Prost (51) in the half-century club. He said: “To win my 50th career win makes me very proud and we will try to push for me.”
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