Van der Garde suggests that Verstappen should leave Red Bull before anyone else.

      Max Verstappen might depart from Red Bull before his key associate Gianpiero Lambiase transitions to McLaren, according to former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde. Lambiase, who has been Verstappen’s race engineer for a long time, will eventually take on a senior leadership position at McLaren, with the team stating that this transition will occur "no later than 2028." However, van der Garde speculates in the Dutch publication Formule 1 that other developments might change this timeline.

      "The million-dollar question: who will leave Red Bull first, Lambiase or Verstappen? I’m betting on Max," he mentioned. "It’s straightforward," van der Garde continued. "Red Bull hasn’t sorted things out, and Max wants to be in a car that allows him to win races and championships." He believes Max will make a move after this season.

      Van der Garde acknowledged that Lambiase’s decision is reasonable. "If the opportunity arises to become team principal at a top team like McLaren, you should grab it," he stated.

      Meanwhile, another former F1 driver and official, Jan Lammers, perceives the disintegration of Red Bull's previously dominant framework directly linked to the 2022 passing of founder Dietrich Mateschitz. "It seems like Max will need to turn off the light there soon," he remarked to Ziggo Sport. "People are leaving one after another. A lot is changing. There will come a time when Max alone can no longer manage it."

      In light of ongoing speculation regarding Verstappen’s long-term prospects, particularly his expressed frustration with current regulations, his manager Raymond Vermeulen emphasized the importance of stability at this moment. "Mutual trust is essential," he stated. "The contract with Red Bull is the primary one – we manage the other contracts around it."