Max Verstappen has urged that it would be premature to attribute his win in the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Race to Red Bull’s recent management change in Formula 1.
Red Bull is embarking upon a race weekend with a new team boss amid the bombshell a fortnight ago that Laurent Mekies has succeeded Christian Horner in charge.
Mekies’ reign began on a victorious note as Verstappen delivered a masterclass to prevail over the faster McLaren cars in the 15-lap race around Spa-Francorchamps.
Verstappen capitalised on Red Bull’s straight-line speed advantage to sweep round pole-sitter Oscar Piastri’s outside into the Les Combes chicane on the opening lap.
And while Piastri and Lando Norris loomed large in the mirrors as the laps counted down, the Dutchman was unperturbed as he resisted the McLaren duo’s advances.
But Verstappen, who insisted he had no involvement in Red Bull’s decision to sack Horner, tempered the impact that Mekies has had as he provided him an ideal start.
“I mean, it’s very difficult to, within two weeks, suddenly say a lot of things need to change out of the blue,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week.
“It’s about starting the relationship and just understanding how everyone is operating.
“Then at one point, you come to conclusions and maybe you want to change something. And this is something that will happen over the coming weeks, months.
“So it’s really early days. But so far, he’s very keen and very motivated. That’s exactly, I think, what you want also. I get on very well with him. So, yeah, it’s been a very good start.”
Verstappen pleased to give Red Bull boost
Verstappen denied that the switch has provided him with extra motivation, though he recognised the boost that it would have provided to the team amid the upheaval.
“The team can always count on me. I will always give my very best whoever is in charge. And yeah, they know that I’m never holding back or anything.
“I’m always trying to give them the best possible result. And that’s also what they pay me for.
“For sure it’s positive. We need, of course, positive energy. And yeah, that’s a great start for us.”
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