Verstappen Makes History in Singapore, an Emotional Podium with Lambiase

Max Verstappen finally broke the Marina Bay Circuit curse by taking his first win at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (21/9). The Red Bull Racing driver was dominant all weekend, locking in pole position for both the sprint race and the grand prix, then sweeping both races. What made this moment different, however, was the presence of Gianpiero Lambiase, the race engineer who is leaving the team, on the podium.

The Singapore win marked Verstappen's second grand prix victory of the season after his earlier win in Bahrain. Even so, his position in the drivers' standings is still not secure. The four-time world champion now sits fourth with 221 points, 119 points behind standings leader Kimi Antonelli. Consistency will be key if he wants to keep his title chances alive.

Red Bull's decision to send Lambiase to the podium was a symbol of respect for his contributions over the years. The Italian has been a key figure behind Verstappen's success, including four world titles. Their relationship was not merely a technical collaboration but a partnership built through intense communication on the team radio. So when Lambiase climbed onto the podium at a track they had never won together, the emotions were unstoppable.

"I didn't expect it. I remember him saying last year in Vegas, 'This might be the last time I'm on the podium.' I replied, 'Don't be silly, we're going to win a lot more.' But it seems I almost made a bad prediction. It's really nice that they sent him up. We all know he's leaving, but sharing the podium here, at a track we've never won together, is very special," Verstappen said at the post-race press conference.

Lambiase's move to McLaren, announced in April 2026, marks the end of a long collaboration era at Red Bull. His contract runs through the end of 2027, but he could move earlier if an agreement is reached. McLaren, which has been on the rise in recent seasons, recruited him as chief racing officer. In his place, Tom Hart will take over the role of Verstappen's race engineer starting in 2027, as well as for the 2026 United States, Brazilian, and Las Vegas Grands Prix.

For Red Bull, this transition is a test of team stability. Lambiase was not only an engineer but also the translator of the famously vocal Verstappen's technical language. His loss could affect chemistry on track. Yet Verstappen himself appears ready to embrace the change. "I think this is the right moment to look ahead. Tom has a different approach, and I'm sure the team has prepared everything," he added.

From a competitive standpoint, the Singapore win showed that Verstappen still has the speed needed to compete at the top level. Although he trails Antonelli by a wide margin, there are still many races to go. Street circuits like Marina Bay demand precision and courage, and Verstappen proved he is still the best in those conditions. If he can keep the momentum, it is not impossible that the gap to the standings leader will shrink.

The question is, will Lambiase's departure be a psychological blow for Verstappen, or will it instead spark new motivation? What is clear is that the Singapore podium will be remembered as the sweet closing of a chapter in one of the most successful pairings of the modern Formula 1 era.