Max Verstappen-Red Bull tension revealed in untelevised team radio
Max Verstappen true frustrations revealed during team radio exchange in China.
A radio exchange not broadcast during Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix has shed new light on Max Verstappen’s frustrations during the race.
Four-time world champion Verstappen was forced to retire from Sunday’s race in Shanghai after his Red Bull suffered a loss of power with 10 laps remaining.
Verstappen had been running in sixth place at the time his RB22 suddenly lost drive as Red Bull encountered terminal reliability problems.
The Dutchman continued to voice his displeasure with the new 2026 cars and rules and was unhappy with the handling and tyre degradation of his Red Bull throughout a hugely disappointing weekend in China.
Radio messages not televised at the time of the race have further underlined just how annoyed Verstappen was.
Verstappen was heard complaining about energy management at one stage, lamenting to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase: “Mate, my f**king boost button.”
The pair then engaged in a rather tense exchange after Lambiase tried to offer Verstappen advice.
Verstappen’s frustration grew after it emerged he had reduced his pace unnecessarily due to a communications error.
The following radio exchange took place between Verstappen and Lambiase between lap 33 and lap 37.
Lambiase: “Reduce tyre management, please, Max, turn seven and turn eight. Reduce tyre management. Giving away a second now to the leaders just in those three corners.”
Verstappen: “In seven and eight, one second?”
GP: “No, it’s the sector one second, but it’s predominantly those three corners.”
GP: “Gasly 37.1 behind.”
MV: “My tyres aren’t there. I just can’t manage it.
GP: “Max, our main loss to car ahead and car behind is actually braking and exit of Turn 6.”
MV: “Well you can check my onboard.”
GP: “I am supposed to be on your side, Max. I’m trying to give you some help and some information. Nothing further, mate. That’s it.”
MV: “Do I even need to lift in 6 or not?”
GP: “Lift not required Turn 6.”
MV: “Doing half of the race lifting, why no one tells me?
MV: “I still need to lift in 1 and 14?”
GP: “Yes, please. Thank you.”
On lap 44, Verstappen was informed by Lambiase about his race-ending problem.
“Hard luck, sorry about that,” Lambiase told Verstappen after he crawled back to the pit lane.
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