Mekies confident FIA will push through power unit changes to keep Verstappen at Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has expressed confidence that the FIA will ultimately push through the power unit regulation changes that Max Verstappen has made a condition of his continued participation in Formula 1.

The 2027 Power Unit Battle

However, the path to implementation is far from straightforward. Audi, Ferrari and Honda are all believed to have voted against the proposed change, preferring to delay it until 2028. Given that a supermajority among manufacturers is required to pass such an amendment, the switch currently hangs in the balance. The uncertainty has prompted Verstappen to reignite threats of quitting Formula 1 altogether, with the Dutchman increasingly committed to his GT3 programme as an alternative.

Mekies: "We'll Find the Right Solutions"

Despite the apparent deadlock, Mekies remains optimistic that manufacturers will eventually align for the greater good of the sport.

"I'm optimistic we'll find the right solutions," the Frenchman said. "So, I'm optimistic we'll find a majority of people agreeing on improving the race. Because when it comes to what matters for the sport, I think at some stage we will all put on the side what we feel it may or may not do to our relative competitiveness to do a step in the right direction for the sport. I think ultimately we'll get to that point."

The FIA's proposed mechanism for achieving the split involves increasing fuel flow and tank capacity while reducing energy deployment — adjustments that, while technically significant, come with notable financial implications for power unit suppliers.

Mekies, however, was dismissive of cost as a barrier. "I don't think the amount of investment is relevant compared to the size of the sport," he said. "We should fix it once for all and not have this as a recurring topic."

The Red Bull boss also pointed to the positives already visible on track, while acknowledging that targeted improvements remain necessary. "We see a fantastic battle on the track. There is a lot of positive and a lot of great aspects with what we are seeing. I think there is a part that we want to improve and we should do it once for all."

Toto Wolff has similarly backed the move to a 60:40 split, adding further weight to the push for change heading into 2027.

If the FIA succeeds in securing the necessary support, Verstappen is expected to see out the final year of his Red Bull contract in 2028 — a significant outcome for a team still searching for its footing in the new regulatory era.