Laurent Mekies insists Red Bull is not being distracted by rival interest in Max Verstappen, despite renewed uncertainty surrounding the four-time Formula 1 world champion’s future. With reports linking Max Verstappen to McLaren after his Silverstone retirement, the Red Bull team principal believes improving the car remains the most effective way to convince the Dutch driver to stay.
The build-up to the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix has produced a driver-market situation remarkably similar to the one seen before the same event in 2025, with Max Verstappen once again at the centre of attention. His contract runs until 2028, but contains exit clauses that could allow his Red Bull career to end early, particularly after the frustrations of the current season. The latest speculation forms another major talking point ahead of the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future returns to the spotlight
Max Verstappen appeared close to an agreement with Mercedes last year, while more recent reports have suggested a possible move to McLaren. Those rumours intensified after his retirement at Silverstone, where a high-speed rear-wing failure ended his race and increased the pressure surrounding his relationship with Red Bull. Questions over the exit clauses in Max Verstappen’s contract have consequently remained central to discussions about the 2027 Formula 1 driver market.
Reports have also indicated that Max Verstappen’s management is exploring potential alternatives, while Red Bull continues to receive approaches from other drivers interested in joining the Milton Keynes-based team. However, Laurent Mekies remains confident that Red Bull can retain its leading driver.
Laurent Mekies says rival approaches are normal
“It works both ways,” Laurent Mekies explained in an interview with Sky Sports F1. “It is absolutely natural that Max Verstappen receives calls from everyone because he is the best driver in the world. In the same way, if you are a top team, you will receive calls from many of these good drivers.”
“Is it a distraction for us? Not really. The main objective is to make the car as fast as possible so that we can keep the best driver in the world. We are also seeing tremendous growth from Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen. For us, they are the ideal pairing, and we are trying to keep them together.”
Isack Hadjar’s progress has become particularly important to Red Bull’s longer-term plans. His development alongside Max Verstappen has strengthened the view that Isack Hadjar could eventually become a Red Bull team leader, although Laurent Mekies is currently focused on retaining the existing partnership.
Red Bull targets the final two or three tenths
Laurent Mekies’s confidence is also based on Red Bull’s recent technical progress. An upgrade package introduced in Austria has since contributed to two podium finishes, with the team significantly reducing the performance deficit it faced at the beginning of the season. The improved race pace at the Red Bull Ring provided an early indication that the Austrian Grand Prix upgrades were delivering useful gains.
“All we have to do is continue improving the car,” Laurent Mekies continued. “We began the season a little more than one second behind, and I do not think we should be surprised. I believe it was a consequence of how late last year’s title fight ended and the incredible challenge presented by the new power unit.”
“We started at a disadvantage, but these guys have done it again. We were more than one second behind, and now we are talking about finding the final two or three tenths of a second to take the last step.”
“When you are one second behind the leader, the drivers become frustrated, Max Verstappen becomes frustrated, and we know that is not a situation in which we want to remain. The best way to close the gap is to recover those final two or three tenths, and that is what everyone is focusing on.”
Laurent Mekies’s position is therefore clear: Red Bull does not intend to let transfer speculation dictate its priorities. The team believes that closing the remaining performance gap and giving Max Verstappen a car capable of consistently challenging at the front will provide its strongest argument for keeping him.
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