Max Verstappen has sent a warning to Red Bull that he is ready to walk away from Formula One if his race engineer leaves.

Gianpiero Lambiase has become a crucial figure in Verstappen’s inner circle and has been credited as playing a key role in helping deliver the Dutchman’s maiden F1 title in 2021.

Now, Verstappen has spoken of Lambiase in the highest possible terms, revealing he would call time on his F1 career if he wasn’t able to continue working alongside his engineer.

Max Verstappen (left) says he would quit F1 if he didn’t work with Gianpiero Lambiase (right)

Verstappen has credited engineer Lambiase’s key role in his maiden Formula One title win (pictured together celebrating during the 2019 season, three years after they started together)

‘I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too,’ Verstappen told Ziggo Sport.

‘Of course, we can be pretty strict with each other sometimes, but I want that too.

‘He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk and I have to tell him. I always told him that.

‘He can tell me that on the radio as well, but it’s been going really well lately. The last few years I tried to be the engineer and he tried to be the driver.’

Lambiase has been Verstappen’s race engineer ever since the 2021 champion joined the team as an 18-year-old in 2016.

Lambiase (left) has become a key figure in Verstappen’s inner circle after five years together

Verstappen received his drivers’ championship trophy at the gala in Paris last Thursday

Their relationship has blossomed in the five years together and they are in direct contact during races.

Back in April, Verstappen was effusive in his praise of Lambiase and the impact he has had in shaping his career in F1.

‘We get on really well and we know exactly what we want from each other, which way we want to go,’ he told Formula 1 Magazine, as reported by gpfans.com.

‘GP is very passionate, driven and wants to win. I think that is very important: you not only have to be driven to want to be in Formula 1, you also have to like being here.’

Verstappen (right) speaks regularly to Lambiase in races and it worked to great success

Lambiase (centre) has been described as incredibly ‘passionate’, which Verstappen likes

Verstappen, with a competent car that could take the fight to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, looked transformed in this past season.

The Dutchman finished in the top two at the chequered flag in all but three of the 22 races – failing to finish at Baku, Silverstone and Monza, the last two down to tangles with Hamilton.

Guided by Lambiase, Verstappen went on to secure 10 pole positions, none more impressive than his qualifying display at Abu Dhabi ahead of the season finale.