Despite ongoing talks of retiring, Laurent Mekies remains confident that Red Bull can stop four-time champion Max Verstappen from walking away from Formula 1.
Since pre-season testing in Bahrain, Verstappen has continually made his distaste with the new regulations clear.
Labelling F1’s shift to a greater hybrid era as being like “Formula E on steroids” and even “anti-racing,” amongst a variety of other comments, much to the dismay of F1 and the FIA.
Alongside the Dutchman’s clear dislike of F1’s new direction, he has also dropped several hints about an early retirement, emphasising that he is no longer enjoying racing in the coveted series.
Despite this, Red Bull Team Principal Mekies maintains the team will continue its partnership with Verstappen for at least one more season.
“You need to come to Milton Keynes to see the fire behind every door. You will soon realise why I am smiling right now, because we don’t think about the driver market for ’27,” Mekies said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.
Instead of thinking ahead to 2027, Mekies highlights that the team is still focused on the 2026 season.
Crucially for Red Bull, they are finding ways to provide Verstappen and Isack Hadjar with a competitive car for the rest of the season, in turn, encouraging the Dutchman to stay another season.
“We are thinking about getting a fast car. And if we get a fast car, there is no discussion about what Max is doing next year,” Mekies highlighted.
“Hence, we are focused on that.”
Mekies on possible rule changes for 2026
Following Ollie Bearman’s major 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, several drivers, including Verstappen, have called for regulatory changes for the remainder of the season. Laurent Mekies believes that, as a sport, F1 should be able to overcome these safety and performance issues. Enabling drivers to get back to a similar style of racing.
“I have full confidence that as a sport, we have the tools to tweak the regulations, so they are coming back to flat-out qualifying, whilst keeping all of the positive aspects that we are seeing from the racing, from the first couple of races,” Mekies said.
The Frenchman believes that with these changes, Verstappen’s outlook on the sport could shift, potentially, allowing for another season in the top series.
“And I think, if we do that, I have every confidence that Max will see what we all see,” Mekies emphasised.
“That you still have the best 22 drivers in the world there and you will have the fastest car on the planet, and the most competitive environment and he is ultimately, a competitor.”
Red Bull’s tricky start to the season sees them sitting sixth, on equal points with Alpine.
Mekies hopes that with potential rule changes and upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull will be able to compete competitively with their rivals from last season.
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