Verstappen hails 'very special' Singapore podium shared with departing engineer Lambiase

Max Verstappen claimed his first Singapore Grand Prix victory at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, then paid tribute to departing race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase after the pair shared the podium together. Red Bull sent Lambiase up to join Verstappen in a moment the four-time world champion described as “very special” at the post-race press conference.

The Singapore win was Verstappen’s second grand prix victory of the season and capped a dominant weekend in which he took pole position for both the sprint race and the grand prix, winning both. He now sits fourth in the drivers’ standings with 221 points, 119 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Lambiase’s appearance on the podium carried extra weight given the circumstances. It was announced in April 2026 that the engineer would leave Red Bull when his contract expires at the end of 2027, unless an earlier departure is agreed, with McLaren set to bring him in as chief racing officer no later than 2028. Tom Hart will take over as Verstappen’s race engineer in 2027, as well as at the 2026 United States, Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen recalled a conversation with Lambiase from the previous year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. “I remember he said to me last year in Vegas, ‘This might be the last time I’m on the podium.’ I said, ‘Don’t be silly, we’re going to win much more,’” Verstappen explained.

“But I almost jinxed myself there, I guess. And yeah, it was just super nice that they sent him up. Of course, we all know that he is leaving, but I think it was very special to share the podium here on a track that we had not won together. So very nice to see him up there.”

The Singapore result follows back-to-back wins for Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and now Marina Bay, providing a timely boost as he attempts to close the gap on Antonelli in the championship.