F1 fans are feeling for Gianpiero Lambiase after the Red Bull engineer was seen in tears on the pit wall after Max Verstappen’s victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen held off Oscar Piastri to win the final race of the season, but it was Lando Norris who was crowned world champion.
Norris simply had to finish on the podium to become world champion, and the McLaren driver came third on Sunday night. Verstappen finished second in the championship – just two points behind Norris – while Piastri was third.
Immediately after the race, Lambiase was spotted with his head in his hands in what fans described as “devastating” scenes. The Red Bull engineer was overcome with emotion after a dramatic and difficult season, and was seen being consoled by team advisor Helmut Marko.
Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase (L) was in tears as Max Verstappen (R) won in Abu Dhabi but Lando Norris got the world championship. Image: F1/Getty
Speaking after the race, Verstappen heaped praise on ‘GP’. “It’s been an emotional year, I think, in that sense,” the Dutchman said. “Forget about the results this year. I don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough.
“I’m very happy to be able to work with someone that passionate. He’s my race engineer, but I see him as my friend. We have lived through so many emotional things together and fantastic achievements. I’m sure that he was a bit emotional after the flag.
“I’m actually looking forward to leaving here and going to chat with him. It’s not been easy at times for him. I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone as good as well and, again, also a proper example of someone who never gave up this season, even through the difficult times.”
Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase share a special bond. Image: F1/Getty
Lambiase has endured a difficult season on and off the track. He was away from the team for two races this year for personal reasons.
One person wrote on social media about Lambiase’s tears: “Oh my god this is devastating.” Another added: “I was doing fine until I saw GP crying, and something in me just broke.”
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Lando Norris’ classy act towards Oscar Piastri
Norris was also in tears after clinching his maiden world championship. He paid a classy tribute to Aussie teammate Piastri, who led the championship for a large portion of the season.
“I’m glad I’ve had Oscar as teammate the last three years, because even though he’s still a lot newer to it than me, I’ve learned a lot from him, and he showed me up many times,” Norris admitted. “I wouldn’t be the driver I am today without that.
“He’s made me have to dig even deeper than I ever have before, because by the season’s midpoint, he was performing better than I was, and doing a better job consistently. At some point, he’s going to get the better of me, because he’s an incredible driver. I’ve learned a lot, enjoyed it a lot, and, sadly, I’ve got a lot more seasons with him in the future! So I look forward to those tough moments as well.”
Lando Norris is F1 world champion. (Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images)
Norris had been 34 points behind Piastri at the end of August. He added: “Not many things in my life have made me cry – but today was one.”