"I’ve been a bit quiet mate, didn’t want to embarrass myself": Max Verstappen's race engineer's emotional team radio after Max won his 4th title
Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase could not hold his emotions after the Red Bull driver claimed his fourth consecutive F1 title. Lambiase, who was relatively quiet, said that he did not want to feel embarrassed on the radio.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen clinched the 2024 F1 title ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. The Red Bull driver claimed his title with two race weekends remaining, as it would no longer be possible for Norris to reduce the gap this season.
Verstappen arrived in Las Vegas with a 62-point gap, and he needed to make sure he did not lose points to Norris in the race. With his P5 finish on Sunday, the Dutch driver made sure he kept his gap intact, and as a result, he was able to seal off the championship.
Norris, on the other hand, had a race weekend to forget as he qualified in P6 and finished the race in the same place — P6. As Verstappen crossed the Checkered Flag, he took to his team radio to thank his team.
Amid this, Lambiase, his long-time race engineer, turned his radio on to congratulate the newly crowned champion. However, he was fairly quiet on the radio. Speaking about the reason behind this, Lambiase said,
“I've been a bit quiet mate on the radio, didn’t want to embarrass myself like you, with the stuttering.”
In the next two race weekends at Qatar and Abu Dhabi, a maximum of 60 points are available (there is a Sprint as well in Qatar). Considering it, if Verstappen faces DNFs in all three races, and Norris claims victory in both races, wins the Sprint, and takes two fastest lap points, he would still be behind Verstappen by three points.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also took to the team radio to congratulate Max Verstappen on his new title. The 27-year-old has been unstoppable since he claimed his first championship in 2021.
Max Verstappen let out his emotions on the team radio
Max Verstappen was full of emotions following his 4th world title win. The Dutchman took to the team radio to share his feelings as he came out on top for the fourth successive time. Here's what he said on the radio,
"I never thought this was possible, but thanks to you guys," Verstappen said. "Oh my God, what a season. Four times. Thank you guys. Thank you. It was a little more difficult this year, but we pulled through. And gave it our all. Thank you so much guys."
With the victory, Verstappen matched former F1 drivers Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel in terms of total championships. Vettel claimed his four titles with Red Bull during his time as a driver from 2010 to 2013.