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 \u201cgood for everyone to hear\u201d following speculation over the Dutchman\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Despite holding a contract to race for the squad through to the end of 2028, Verstappen<\/a> had been linked to Mercedes<\/a> in recent times \u2013 rumours that were heightened when George Russell<\/a> suggested that the team had been having \u201cconversations\u201d<\/a> with the World Champion.<\/p>\n Verstappen was tight-lipped about the speculation<\/a> when faced with questions during the British Grand Prix weekend last month \u2013 but the 27-year-old shut down any further talk on Thursday\u2019s media day in Hungary by stating<\/a>: \u201cI think it’s time to basically stop all the rumours, and for me it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked by Sky Sports F1 about Verstappen\u2019s decision to confirm his future, Mekies<\/a> \u2013 who took over as Team Principal at Red Bull<\/a> following the immediate departure of Christian Horner<\/a> earlier in July \u2013 responded: \u201cI don\u2019t think there was a real doubt, as far as the team is concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cMax has been saying it over and over again, and we know what he wants \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hungarian Grand Prix<\/a> weekend has not got off to the smoothest of starts for the Milton Keynes-based squad on the track, with Verstappen labelling Friday as \u201cvery tough\u201d<\/a> after struggling for grip at the wheel of the RB21.<\/p>\n Pushed on how vital Verstappen\u2019s experience is when it comes to turning the situation around during the weekend, Mekies conceded: \u201cIt is essential, I have to say.<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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\u2019s not so much a balance issue, it\u2019s really like we are struggling to find the level of grip that we should be having here, and he\u2019s certainly a huge, huge help in these situations.\u201d<\/p>\n While it is now clear that Verstappen will be racing for Red Bull in 2026, the identity of the team\u2019s second driver is less certain.<\/p>\n