After a commanding performance during qualifying at the 2025 British Grand Prix, Max Verstappen’s brief but intriguing radio message set social media ablaze. Many Formula 1 fans are convinced that the Red Bull driver and his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, took a subtle jab at Mercedes — a rival team still tangled in speculation about Verstappen’s future.
As Verstappen crossed the finish line at Silverstone and secured pole position with a blistering lap time, Lambiase calmly said over the radio, “You went motor racing.” That phrase, seemingly innocuous, immediately struck a chord with long-time F1 followers. It bore a striking resemblance to a now-infamous line uttered by former race director Michael Masi to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during the controversial conclusion of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — “It’s called motor racing.”
That 2021 race, where Verstappen controversially won his first championship, still sparks heated debates. At the time, Mercedes was left furious over how the final laps were handled. Masi’s explanation became iconic and symbolic of what Mercedes considered a great injustice.
Fast-forward to Silverstone 2025, and that same phrase — albeit slightly altered — reappeared in the most unexpected context. The timing, the wording, and the delivery were enough for fans to start speculating that Red Bull was poking fun at their longtime rivals.
Fans quickly took to social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their amusement and disbelief. Many believed the timing was too perfect to be coincidental. One fan tweeted, “No way GP said that. I burst out laughing.” Another posted, “Red Bull really couldn’t help themselves. That was a direct line aimed at Mercedes.”
Adding to the intrigue is the swirling rumor mill suggesting Verstappen may one day end up driving for Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff has never hidden his admiration for Verstappen and reportedly sees him as a long-term successor to Lewis Hamilton, who will retire after this season. Verstappen’s own contract situation — and the internal tensions within Red Bull after 2024 — have fueled the speculation even more.
In that context, some fans interpreted Lambiase’s radio comment not only as a throwback to 2021 but also as a cheeky way of addressing the transfer rumors — perhaps suggesting that Verstappen is perfectly content where he is and doesn’t need to chase opportunities elsewhere.
Red Bull has a history of cleverly using media and team communications to stir the pot, and this instance fits right in with their brand of competitive banter. Verstappen, known for his calm demeanor and intense focus, didn’t comment directly on the phrase after qualifying. However, his confident performance did all the talking.
While the comment was brief, its implications have lingered. It served as both a nostalgic callback and a subtle reminder of Red Bull’s ongoing dominance in the sport. With Verstappen still leading the championship and Red Bull continuing to perform strongly despite increased competition from McLaren and Ferrari, the message — intentional or not — symbolized a team that’s still very much in control.
Ultimately, whether the phrase was meant as a deliberate jab at Mercedes or just a playful inside joke, it reignited debates and delighted fans. In a sport where mind games and subtle messages often carry as much weight as on-track performance, Verstappen and Lambiase delivered yet another memorable moment — this time without even touching the throttle.
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