Christian Horner: ‘Lampiasi didn’t target Max Verstappen with ‘childish’, but Mercedes’ – F1journaal.be

During some heated radio exchanges between Max Verstappen and race engineer Gianpiero Lambiasi, the latter made it clear to Verstappen that he would not be tempted by anything “childish” on the on-board radio. According to Horner, Lambiasi was not targeting Verstappen but Mercedes.

Max Verstappen was frustrated that Mercedes had so-called “undercut” Verstappen, which team boss Christian Horner later admitted was a mistake by the team. There was also “discussion” about the collision with Lewis Hamilton.

Of course there was frustration, and Max Verstappen also made that clear with regard to the radio trainer. Verstappen accused Hamilton of “moving under the brakes”. Lambis didn’t really agree with Verstappen and replied: “I’m not going to be tempted to get into a radio battle with other teams, Max. We’ll let the stewards do their job. It’s childish on the radio, childish.

Many saw this as Lambiasi criticizing Max Verstappen’s behaviour, but after the race, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was quick to amend this view. According to Horner, Lambiasi tried to avoid a public discussion with Mercedes about the on-board radio, so that Mercedes would not be able to use anything Verstappen might say over the on-board radio.

“I don’t think Gianpiero was referring to Max at that moment, he was referring to the others who were complaining on the radio about the penalties,” Horner said. “So I don’t think Gianpiero was referring to Max.”

“Obviously others are trying to impose sanctions, and of course the hosts are also listening to the radio messages,” he added.

“They’ve worked together for eight years, and yes, there are things we could have done better this time around, but that’s something we’ll discuss as a team.”