Verstappen laughs with GP: 'That's why we have such a great relationship'
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
Of course, Formula 1 's director always chooses the most interesting on-board radios of the drivers, and regularly among them is the conversation between Max Verstappen and his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase (GP). They sometimes sound like a bickering couple, but the respect between the two is great. And those conversations over the radio? Verstappen often enjoys them, he stated in conversation with David Coulthard on Channel 4.
At the British broadcaster, Verstappen addresses the soundbites, which make it seem as if he and Lambiase are sometimes engaged in a heated discussion. But the outside world enjoys it, the Dutchman realises. And he secretly does a little too. "I think I definitely need to try and speak to marketing," laughs Verstappen.
Verstappen shares anecdote about Lambiase
"TThey have to put a compilation together at the end of the year of all our radio messages throughout the year. It was again quite funny. We had that 10-minute practice session before we had the sprint shootout. And I had a little moment and I nearly went off the track. And GP came onto the radio and said, 'why didn't you continue pushing to see what was going on in the rest of the lap balance wise?' Mate I was off the track in the gravel and there was a car next to me. I was like, I can't just keep pushing."
Verstappen has said it before, but for anyone who doesn't know: GP and he really get along great, even if emotions run high at times. "We have a very honest relationship and very straightforward. I think we both have quite strong characters, but that's what I like. That's how I prefer to operate in a team. We need to be honest to ourselves. That's why I think we have a great relationship"