Max Verstappen race engineer 'embarrassed' over team radio comment at Italian GP

Gianpiero Lambiase has playfully reminisced about his team radio interaction with Max Verstappen following the four-time F1 world champion’s dominant victory at the Italian Grand Prix.

Verstappen delivered a masterclass in speed during Sunday's Italian GP at Monza. Early in the race, the Red Bull driver briefly tangled with Lando Norris before driving off into the distance.

His performance earned worldwide acclaim, with experts, analysts, and even Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praising his blistering pace that left the rest of the field in his dust.

After the chequered flag was waved, Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, summed up the performance with a simple 'Fantastico' over the radio. His distinctly British-tinged accent sparked plenty of laughs on social media.

Later, when asked by Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz about his accent and asked to do it again with more Italian flair, Lambiase admitted with a chuckle, "I’m probably the most embarrassed about the accent I used there."

Verstappen sparks social media buzz

Another memorable radio moment came from Verstappen himself. When Lambiase advised him in the final stages of the race to play it safe and ensure a clean finish, Verstappen replied: "No risks, full push."

This remark, too, quickly made waves across social media platforms, with the contradictory tone clearly designed to try and wind Lambiase up as the race reached its conclusion.

F1 COMMENTATORS: Meet the Sky Sports and Channel 4 teams including Martin Brundle, Naomi Schiff and Danica Patrick

F1 HEADLINES: Hamilton decision rushed as star facing suspension

READ MORE: Norris blasts 'idiot' Verstappen after Italian Grand Prix scrap

READ MORE: Flavio Briatore confirms Franco Colapinto future following Alpine F1 announcement

READ MORE: FIA confirm Red Bull star stripped of victory at Italian Grand Prix

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Andrea Stella to Ferrari rumours hits shock twist after Gianpiero Lambiase arrival

• 57 minutes ago

Jos Verstappen retires after major rally crash

• Today 10:59

Max Verstappen and Red Bull comeback on the cards claims F1 boss

• Today 08:55

Max Verstappen’s ‘second father’ opens up on Jos Verstappen’s parenting techniques

• Yesterday 21:57

F1 star claims Max Verstappen should be banned from the Nurburgring

• Yesterday 17:57

Lando Norris excited by landmark McLaren signing, but it's bad news for Max Verstappen

• April 23, 2026 14:57