FEW HOURS AGO: The Red Bull management officially terminated Max verstappen long-time serving engineer Gianpiero Lambiase contract with the team due to…

The news of Lambiase’s termination comes just days after Red Bull principal Christian Horner made it clear that the team was no longer willing to tolerate any distractions or disruptions to its operations, with the team’s management reportedly concerned that Lambiase’s close relationship with Verstappen had become a distraction and a potential source of friction within the team.

“Gianpiero was a great engineer, but he was too close to Max for his own good,” said one Red Bull insider. “The team needed to make a clean break and start fresh with someone who could provide more balance and stability.”

While the decision to terminate Lambiase’s contract is sure to have a major impact on the team’s operations, many within the sport believe that it was a necessary step for Red Bull to take in order to maintain order and harmony within its ranks.

“Red Bull is a team that demands discipline and respect from its drivers and its engineers,” said one Formula 1 analyst. “They’re not going to let anyone disrupt their operations or undermine their authority, and Lambiase was clearly seen as a risk in that regard.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Lambiase’s departure, many within the Formula 1 community are predicting that he will be snapped up by another team in short order, with several top outfits reportedly interested in his services.

“Gianpiero is a top-tier engineer with a proven track record in the sport,” said one industry insider. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already fielding offers from other teams, and he could be a major asset to whichever team he ends up working for.”

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