Laurent Mekies confident Red Bull upgrades will bring the smile back to Max Verstappen

The 2026 Formula 1 season has proven to be a grueling test for Max Verstappen, but Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies remains adamant that upcoming upgrades will put the smile back on the Dutchman's face.

The push for performance in Miami

"We have a step forward for the regs incoming for Miami," Mekies explained. "He (Verstappen) is embracing that. Will it be enough? We have time to see together if it’s going to be enough or not."

The core issue, according to the team principal, lies in the fundamental drivability of the current package. "We are conscious that the priority is that we give him a car he can push with. This has not much to do with the regs. We knew we gave him and Isack a very difficult car in the first three races," Mekies admitted, referencing Verstappen's teammate, Isack Hadjar.

"We need to give him a car he can consistently push with, then after it doesn’t mean that it will be fast enough for pole positions, but it means he can start to bring his Max effect, and we can start to bolt development onto that car."

Ahead of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, suggestions have emerged that Red Bull will introduce crucial upgrades aimed at reducing the weight of the RB22. Since the start of the 2026 campaign, rumors have circulated that the chassis is overweight by around 10kg, severely limiting its performance potential. The team is banking on these improvements to lighten a car that Hadjar previously described as 'terrible'.

Despite the urgency, Mekies remains realistic about the immediate timeline. "I have every confidence that things may not be fixed for Miami, but the team is going to get to the bottom of what is limiting us in the same way that they have done last year, and you will see more and more smiles on Max’s face."

Addressing the Rumors: Verstappen's Future at Red Bull

Beyond the technical hurdles, Mekies is also navigating turbulent waters regarding team personnel and Verstappen's long-term commitment. The recent confirmation that Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer in 2028 has only fueled the rumor mill, with speculation linking the Dutch driver to a potential move to McLaren.

When pressed on whether these high-profile departures could trigger Verstappen's exit, Mekies offered a resolute defense of the team's stability.

"Absolutely not. That’s my direct answer to you," Mekies stated. "Obviously, we speak with Max every day. And Max knows motorsport upside down."

He further highlighted Verstappen's deep-rooted connection to the Milton Keynes squad: "He’s living and breathing this team. He knows most of these guys. He understands very well the dynamics that can happen."

Addressing the staff turnover, Mekies was pragmatic. "The team has been extremely successful and you can’t promote everyone. And some people make some decisions."

Looking ahead, the mandate for Mekies is clear. He faces the monumental task of not only engineering a more competitive car for his drivers but also ensuring that Verstappen remains convinced that Red Bull is still the right environment for his future.