Mekies: “We’re not talking about retirement with Verstappen. Max is passionate about F1 and wants the sport to move in the right direction”
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has moved to dismiss speculation suggesting that Max Verstappen could retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2026, insisting that there are no such discussions within the team.
Verstappen and retirement rumors
Formula 1 may have switched off its engines, but the debate continues to run at full speed. The paddock, currently in a forced pause due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran, is effectively reflecting on how to improve areas of the sport that are widely seen as problematic. With the new regulations still in their early phase, there is time to intervene—but also pressure to act quickly to avoid losing fan interest. A key meeting scheduled for April 9 in London is expected to address exactly these concerns.
Adding urgency to the discussion is the growing concern over potentially losing Max Verstappen, who has repeatedly suggested he could walk away from Formula 1 if the sport continues to limit driver input and natural racing. His criticism extends beyond Saturday qualifying—where pushing at the limit can sometimes be counterproductive—to include race conditions, artificial overtaking dynamics, and safety concerns.
Mekies’ comments
The possibility of Max Verstappen stepping away would obviously be a major blow not only for Formula 1 but also for Red Bull. However, team principal Laurent Mekies does not appear concerned about such an outcome.
“At the moment we are not talking about retirement with Max. We are focusing deeply on how to make our car faster. He is passionate about Formula 1 and wants to help ensure the sport moves in the right direction. That is why he clearly expresses the changes he believes are necessary to perform at his best in qualifying and to have strong races,” Laurent Mekies said.
“We have the tools to adjust the regulations so that in qualifying we return to full push laps, while still keeping all the positive aspects we see in the races. If we achieve that, I am fully confident that Max will continue to see what we all see—that the grid still features the 22 best drivers in the world and the fastest cars on the planet.
If you came to Milton Keynes, you would see the fire that exists behind every single door. And you would understand why we are not thinking about the 2027 driver market. We are thinking about building a fast car. And if we have a fast car, there will be no discussion about what Max will do next year,” the former Ferrari engineer concluded.
His remarks underline the view that Max Verstappen’s frustration is primarily linked to Red Bull’s current performance levels rather than any deeper desire to leave the sport.
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