Red Bull's Laurent Mekies insists Max Verstappen is content with the team despite rumors of a potential move. Mekies emphasizes the strength of their current driver lineup, downplaying any need for change.
Red Bull's team principal, Laurent Mekies, has brushed aside rumors suggesting Max Verstappen might leave the team, possibly making way for Oscar Piastri. During the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, the media buzzed with speculation about Red Bull's driver lineup, but Mekies insists there's no cause for concern. He stated plainly that Verstappen is "telling us he's happy at Red Bull."
In a press conference on Friday, Mekies expressed satisfaction with the current driver roster, including Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. "We have a very, very strong driver line-up," he noted, emphasizing that changing drivers isn't on Red Bull's agenda. Mekies praised Verstappen for navigating a challenging start to the season and Hadjar for his commendable performance with a tricky car.
Though Hadjar faced a tougher time in Miami, Mekies remains confident in his abilities, noting his return to form in Canada. "We are super happy with the two guys behind the wheels," Mekies reiterated.
Despite Verstappen's success—four Drivers' titles since his 2016 debut with Red Bull, including a victory straight out of the gate at the Spanish Grand Prix—whispers of a departure linger. Red Bull's struggles to keep pace with Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari under the new 2026 regulations add fuel to the fire.
Adding to the speculation, Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, announced a move to McLaren in 2028. Verstappen himself seemed unfazed by Lambiase's departure, insisting it would be "stupid to stand in his way." This amicable split has nonetheless sparked rumors of a Verstappen-McLaren reunion.
Mekies, however, remains unperturbed by such talk. "I’m not concerned with Max following GP," he said, referring to Lambiase. Mekies emphasized that Verstappen is deeply integrated into Red Bull's strategic planning and is committed to enhancing their competitive edge. "He is central to that," Mekies affirmed, clearly unfazed by the rumor mill.