25/07/2025 09:00
New Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has explained what the team must
do to retain the services of "magic" Max Verstappen. Verstappen's
short and long-term futures at Red Bull appear uncertain following
a drastic slide in performance over the last 12 months, with
Christian Horner ultimately being dismissed from his position as
team principal and CEO on July 9th, to be replaced by Racing Bulls
chief Mekies. Mercedes and Aston Martin have both been strongly
linked with a move for Verstappen, although it does now appear that
the Dutchman will stay put for 2026, the first year of the sweeping
technical regulation changes, before re-evaluating his options for
2027. Verstappen's current contract expires at the end of 2028, and
on Thursday, ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, he explained that
Honer's exit would have no impact on the decision over his future.
Speaking publicly for the first time since assuming control, Mekies
gave a simple target for the team to ensure Verstappen does not
leave. "The truth is Red Bull is hugely committed to Max," Mekies
told F1. "The way we can be hugely committed to Max is by giving
him the best possible car. "And giving him the best possible car
is what every single person in the company wants more than anything
else. "So that's where the effort is made, and the rest will be a
consequence. But of course, Max is central to the project, and he's
key to the project, and we need his magic at the racetrack. "He has
been with the team for a very long time, and he has huge inputs in
helping us drive the next competitive edge that we will need to
build." When then, asked if he felt the team could deliver such a
car to Verstappen, Mekies felt positive that it was the case. "I
think the team has everything to do that, it has the means. It has
the spirit. "And most importantly, it has the talents. So in
short, I think we have everything to be able to give that to our
drivers."
