The pair had a tetchy exchange at the end of the middle segment of qualifying that Verstappen would go on to top on Friday at Spa, which featured an expletive-laden rant from the driver.
As he returned to the pits having just scraped through Q2 in 10th, Verstappen was seemingly irate with Red Bull’s insistence he went on to complete a full lap at lower speed to recharge his battery ahead of a final Q2 attempt, following his Turn 9 off late in that segment.
Verstappen had wanted to immediately go for a second flying lap in a row following his error, but Lambiase said Red Bull felt his soft tyres would be too hot by the end of a second consecutive attempt and also suggested there was too little time left to then complete a slower lap followed by a final flier.
He was also concerned about the significant track evolution factor overhanging proceedings and with Verstappen’s rivals possibly going quicker while he would have used all his engine’s electrical deployment boost with two quick laps in a row.
Verstappen: “We should have just f****** pushed two laps in a row like I said.”
Lambiase: “But you are through, Max.”
Verstappen: “Yeah – I don’t give a f***, mate, if I’m through in P10. It was just s*** execution.”
Lambiase: "OK, and then when the track was two seconds quicker for your final lap and you didn't have any energy left, how would that have gone down? But you tell me what you want to do in Q3, and we'll do it. Let me know – sets, fuel, run plan?"
After he went on to top qualifying ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by a massive 0.82s margin, Verstappen apologised for his previous comments as he returned to the pits at Q3’s conclusion.
Verstappen: "Oh – nice gap that! Well, at least we had a good Q3. And, sorry GP for sending such a… so long a rant.”
Lambiase: "[I’m] slowly getting used to it, Max. That was eight tenths to Leclerc."
Verstappen: "Luckily we’ve got a few more years [together], mate. So, it’s all good."
Source: Autosport