‘He is central to the team’ – Mekies reflects on Verstappen confirming his future at Red Bull

Laurent Mekies has shared his reaction to Max Verstappen confirming that he will remain at Red Bull in 2026, with the new Team Principal admitting that the news is “good for everyone to hear” following speculation over the Dutchman’s future.

Despite holding a contract to race for the squad through to the end of 2028, Verstappen had been linked to Mercedes in recent times – rumours that were heightened when George Russell suggested that the team had been having “conversations” with the World Champion.

Verstappen was tight-lipped about the speculation when faced with questions during the British Grand Prix weekend last month – but the 27-year-old shut down any further talk on Thursday’s media day in Hungary by stating: “I think it's time to basically stop all the rumours, and for me it's always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.”

Asked by Sky Sports F1 about Verstappen’s decision to confirm his future, Mekies – who took over as Team Principal at Red Bull following the immediate departure of Christian Horner earlier in July – responded: “I don’t think there was a real doubt, as far as the team is concerned.

“Max has been saying it over and over again, and we know what he wants – he wants the fast car. Now the fact that he said it a bit louder this time I guess is good for everyone to hear, but as far as we are concerned, he has always been a part and central to the team.”

The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend has not got off to the smoothest of starts for the Milton Keynes-based squad on the track, with Verstappen labelling Friday as “very tough” after struggling for grip at the wheel of the RB21.

Pushed on how vital Verstappen’s experience is when it comes to turning the situation around during the weekend, Mekies conceded: “It is essential, I have to say.

“He knows when the car has been working, he knows when the car has not been working, and especially in a situation like that when it’s not so much a balance issue, it’s really like we are struggling to find the level of grip that we should be having here, and he’s certainly a huge, huge help in these situations.”

While it is now clear that Verstappen will be racing for Red Bull in 2026, the identity of the team’s second driver is less certain.

Yuki Tsunoda currently fills the spot after being promoted to the squad earlier in the season, but the campaign has so far been a tricky one for the Japanese driver.

When quizzed on whether he has given much thought as to who will take the second seat at the squad next year, Mekies answered: “The priority is give Yuki what he needs to perform. With regards to the second seat, that’s where the priority is.

“It’s what the team is concentrated on, they’ve been trying that for a number of races now. We are trying to find ways to make a further step. Spa was very positive, certainly from that perspective.

“Here it’s a bit of a tricky weekend overall so it’s probably more difficult to judge, but there is no reason why Yuki’s performance cannot be what we have seen in the past and that’s what we are concentrated on right now.”