Max Verstappen's inner circle is unravelling -- and so are Red Bull's hopes of keeping him

"Lambiase's move to McLaren comes at a critical time for Red Bull, as Verstappen is seriously considering leaving F1 after the 2026 season."

"Verstappen's dissatisfaction with the new hybrid cars and the current state of Red Bull Racing may lead him to race elsewhere or retire."

"The departure of Lambiase follows a trend of discontent within Red Bull, highlighting the challenges faced by the team in the new era of F1."

"Red Bull's title dynasty has collapsed, and the team's struggles this season have contributed to Verstappen's contemplation of his future in the sport."

Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen's long-time race engineer, will join McLaren as chief racing officer by 2028, impacting Verstappen's future in F1. Verstappen is contemplating leaving F1 after 2026, influenced by dissatisfaction with the new hybrid cars and Red Bull's current performance. Lambiase's departure signals deeper issues within Red Bull Racing, as the team's dominance has waned. The situation reflects a broader trend of discontent within the team and the challenges posed by the new era of F1 cars.

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