Max Verstappen addressed the emotional sight of his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, breaking down in the pitlane after the narrow title loss to Lando Norris, acknowledging how difficult the season had been for his trusted colleague. He hinted at private conversations to come, noting that Lambiase’s challenges weren’t something he wanted to discuss publicly. Despite the heartbreak, Verstappen expressed pride in the effort they put forth throughout the year.
Reflecting on the title fight, Verstappen emphasised how much their comeback meant to the team. Though the championship slipped away by a slim margin, he reminded his crew not to dwell on disappointment. He highlighted the strength and resilience shown after falling far behind earlier in the season.
He praised the collective effort behind their resurgence, crediting everyone at Red Bull and extending appreciation to Honda for their years of partnership. For Verstappen, the campaign ended with a sense of accomplishment, even if the ultimate goal wasn’t achieved.
The Dutchman maintained a positive tone, insisting he was not discouraged by the outcome. In his view, the team had every reason to feel proud of their performance, having pushed the fight all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen’s message underscored unity and gratitude rather than regret.
His reaction encapsulated a driver who, despite the loss, recognised the value of perseverance, teamwork, and progress—choosing to celebrate the journey instead of dwelling on the sting of defeat.
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