Since 2016, Lambiase has been the race engineer to Max Verstappen, and formed a partnership that saw the Dutchman claim four successive drivers titles, and two constructors championships to go with it.<\/p>\n
The only issue is that on top of Verstappen making noises about leaving the sport altogether<\/a>, he has always maintained he would depart Red Bull if Lambiase was to go. <\/p>\n \u201cI have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too,\u201d Verstappen told Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport of Lambiase after winning his first title in 2021. <\/p>\n Making matters even worse for Red Bull, is the fact that there is a very clear exit available to Verstappen, even if he\u2019s signed through until the end of the 2028 season.<\/p>\n With that taken into account, circle July 27 on your calendar as D-Day when Verstappen could decide he\u2019s done with Formula One.<\/p>\n Last year, it\u2019s understood that Verstappen could leave at season\u2019s end if he was outside the top three in the drivers championship at the summer break. This year, however, it\u2019s understood that clause has been tightened to allow Verstappen to leave if he sits outside the top two.<\/p>\n Admittedly, it\u2019s been just three race weekends, but Verstappen is 49 points adrift of second place, with no sign whatsoever that Red Bull will have a competitive car to help claw that deficit back.<\/p>\n Who, then, would Red Bull turn to next? The Herald understands that Red Bull faces considerable pressure from its shareholders to make use of drivers from its own stable, rather than look elsewhere.<\/p>\n And if Racing Bulls is truly to serve its purpose of preparing drivers to step into Red Bull\u2019s senior ranks, Verstappen\u2019s exit should open the door for Liam Lawson.<\/p>\n While Verstappen has struggled to start the season, Lawson has shone. With 10 points – courtesy of two seventh-place finishes in China<\/a> and ninth in Japan<\/a> – the Kiwi is the next-best placed Red Bull driver in the championship, two points off Verstappen, and six clear of the pair of Arvid Lindblad and Isack Hadjar. <\/p>\n Yuki Tsunoda could also firm as an option for Red Bull, as the team\u2019s current reserve driver. However, Red Bull have already backed Lawson over Tsunoda twice, at the end of 2024 and 2025 respectively. <\/p>\n Admittedly, just three race weekends into the year, Lawson looks reborn as a driver, and is clearly benefiting from the stability of returning to Racing Bulls after a career that had otherwise been built on uncertainty.<\/p>\n Most importantly, Lawson is also showing he has what it takes to be a senior driver and lead a team from week to week.<\/p>\n If Red Bull were to have to make any decision now, and needed to look internally, Lawson\u2019s name would undoubtedly be at the top of their list. <\/p>\n On the other hand, Lindblad has been identified and groomed to step into that Red Bull car<\/a> eventually, and has been impressive to start his rookie season, namely by a points finish on debut in Melbourne<\/a>.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, there are still 19 races left this season for Lindblad to prove he is the real deal. <\/p>\n But, even if Red Bull does have a history of bold calls, including naming Verstappen as a Formula One driver when he was just 16, this feels far too soon for Lindblad, given the struggles Hadjar has had since he was promoted for this season.<\/p>\n Just over a year after he suffered the most brutal axing in the sport\u2019s history, Red Bull could have no other option but to go back to Lawson. <\/p>\n Whether he would want to return or not, though, is a different story.<\/p>\n