Red Bull reassures fans about Verstappen’s commitment
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has dismissed speculation that Max Verstappen might walk away from Formula 1, expressing confidence the four-time world champion’s mood will improve once the team delivers a faster car, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking on Sunday evening in Japan, Mekies made it clear that the team has no concerns about losing their star driver. “We are having zero discussions about those aspects,” he stated. “We have a lot of work to do, but I’m sure by the time we give him a fast car, he will be a much happier Max.”
Verstappen’s concerns surfaced after a disappointing eighth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he questioned his long-term commitment to the sport. Despite having a contract that runs until the end of 2028, the Dutch driver indicated he was contemplating his future in Formula 1.
He stressed that his doubts were not due to Red Bull’s difficult start to the season but rather his dissatisfaction with how racing has evolved under new technical regulations. “Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race,” Verstappen commented. “It’s really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do.”
Mekies acknowledged that Red Bull has slipped to fourth in the pecking order, behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, with performance issues compounding since the season opener in Melbourne. “There is nothing to be happy about today,” he remarked. “But now, McLaren is at that same level. So, we are a distant fourth. That’s the reality.”
He further explained that the team is grappling with fundamental issues beyond mere setup adjustments, describing a combination of underlying performance shortfalls and an inability to extract sufficient pace from their package. Mekies expressed confidence in the team’s capability to overcome these challenges, asserting that solving technical limitations is what Red Bull excels at.
Verstappen’s frustrations with current regulations are shared among many in the paddock, as all parties, including teams, the FIA, and drivers, agree that qualifying should return to more straightforward, flat-out competition. “I think we all would like to see qualifying to be a flat-out qualifying or as close as possible to flat-out qualifying,” Mekies added.
As the team looks to the future, Mekies believes comprehensive changes for 2027 are essential, though he acknowledged that smaller adjustments could still be made for the current season. In a sport where speed defines success, the coming months will reveal whether Red Bull can restore Verstappen’s racing spirit and turn their fortunes around.
