Max Verstappen's F1 race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, has offered a rare insight into his "complete" relationship with the Red Bull star.
Verstappen and Lambiase have worked together since Verstappen was promoted to the senior team in 2016, with the two forging one of the most iconic driver-engineer partnerships in F1 history.
The pair are renowned for their robust exchanges over the team radio, with Lambiase often giving short shrift to any complaint Verstappen has.
However, explaining the reasoning for this, Lambiase revealed that it is the "very straightforward" method of communication the four-time world champion desires.
It is a relationship where Lambiase is more than simply the Dutchman's race engineer.
Explaining how he works with the 27-year-old, Lambiase explained to the Wall Street Journal: "You’re on a boat down a river, and you’re surrounded by a whole load of crocodiles.
"You’re dealing with the closest crocodile to the boat. That’s all we’re doing.
"You have to do what is right for the team and driver at the time, and if you start being concerned about what you’re saying, then I think you’re lost in showbiz.
"You're his complete circle of friends in one: a dad, a sports psychologist, best friend, worst enemy, everything.
"He’s very straightforward, blunt and honest, but he expects that similar
level of treatment back.
"If you try to pander to him, wrap him in cotton wool, and try to be his best mate and be that yes-man, you will lose him within months."
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