The Max Verstappen comments that further throw his F1 future into jeopardy

It was a typically well-intentioned remark from Max Verstappen, said with a directness that ensured you knew he was serious.

So now you have to wonder whether he will follow up on his comment about Gianpiero Lambiase, the man who has been his trusted lieutenant through four F1 drivers' championships, 71 grand prix victories and 48 pole positions over the past decade of their time together at Red Bull.

"I told him that I only want to work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too."

Those words were aired on Ziggo Sport in an interview at the end of 2021, following Verstappen's seismic season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton, at the end of which he became Formula 1 champion for the first time.

Almost four and a half years later, Verstappen now faces the acid test of his words as Lambiase is to leave Red Bull at the end of 2028 to join F1 rivals, McLaren.

The 28-year-old Dutchman is already far from disenchanted with the current F1 regulations. He has been its most outspoken critic over the course of the campaign, making clear that unless changes are made, he could easily move on to other areas of racing that provide him with the fun he is seeking.

Now, Lambiase has added to the frustration likely swirling inside Verstappen's head. The duo have become part of F1's fabric over time, leading to former team principal Christian Horner once describing them as "an old married couple", such is the strength of their bond.

"It is unbelievable how we work together," added Verstappen, in his interview with Ziggo Sports. "Of course, we can be very strict with each other at some point, but I also want that.

"He should be able to tell me if I'm a jerk and vice versa. I have always told him that. In recent years, I often tried to be a bit more the engineer and he the driver!"

Clearly, Verstappen would not want anyone other than Lambiase telling him what to do whilst in the car during a race weekend, and behind the scenes in the many technical briefings.

Lambiase is someone whose word Verstappen not only trusts but also with whom he can even argue over the radio at times, as we have heard on those rare occasions when they have disagreed with one another.

That was the case during the 2023 Belgian GP when it turned into a proper spat, later dismissed by Verstappen as he underlined how they work together.

"We can both be quite vocal or emotional, but we always solve it afterwards, so it’s all good," he said. He additionally stated that he has "always been against switching race engineer", because "they are very crucial in your performance, so the longer you can stay together, the better."

For the next 20 months, they are due to be together, but what then? Will Verstappen be true to his word on Lambiase?