Mekies: “Verstappen has told us clearly that he wants to stay at Red Bull”

from SPIELBERG (AUSTRIA)
Red Bull aimed to be the center of attention in the home race, but perhaps not for the reason that it has stirred up the Spielberg paddock in the last few hours. The bomb dropped by the Daily Mail, according to which Max Verstappen is in “secret” negotiations (or at least secret until a few hours ago) with McLaren, has inevitably “forced” Laurent Mekies to deny it, albeit doing so indirectly. The Red Bull team principal was surrounded by questions in the press conference, to which he nevertheless answered broadly and without ever losing his smile: “Verstappen has clearly told us that he wants to continue with us. At the same time, it is also clear that he needs a fast car to be happy and happy to be part of this team.” Max more serene? The reason is almost obvious. A help for Verstappen’s stay in Red Bull, according to Mekies, is the decision – now definitive – on the changes to the engine rules, which will bring the current power units to a new 60:40 balance in favor of the thermal: “If you remember, Max himself had explained what the path to follow should be regarding the engine regulations for 2027 and 2028 (threatening several times with withdrawal otherwise, ed.). There were very open discussions between the FIA, F1 and the teams and we have managed to make some adjustments on this, so we can say we are in a very positive moment for our sport.” “I think this is fantastic for Max, fantastic for the drivers and fantastic for the sport. We don’t ask Max how he is every week. He is working hard together with us, helping us find the right development directions for the car. Even in FP1 he ran very long and intense tests, trying every possible road.”

Automobile Magazine – Formula1 English, News

2026-06-27 01:00:00