Jos Verstappen has completely changed his approach with Laurent Mekies compared to Christian Horner

Follow us on Google Discover

Jos Verstappen was often at the centre of drama at Red Bull in 2024 and the start of 2025 as his feud with Christian Horner took over the paddock.

The Dutchman grew frustrated with the team principal’s regime, especially amid the drama behind the scenes, which saw multiple key figures leave Red Bull.

Verstappen felt Horner ‘glossed over’ Adrian Newey’s exit and did not address how serious an issue it would later become. Verstappen warned Red Bull would ‘fall apart’ under Horner, and he was not exactly wrong when 2025 rolled around.

A lot has changed at Red Bull since 2023 – should we be worried about them?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

McLaren took a step forward while Red Bull regressed, frustrating the Verstappens. It led to speculation that Max Verstappen could leave the team, with Jos Verstappen being accused of sparking the Mercedes links to push a move.

Eventually, Horner was sacked in July, with many believing that Verstappen Snr was responsible for his exit. He denied this claim, as did the rest of the Dutchman’s inner circle, but Jos’ telling look in the paddock at Spa spoke volumes.

He was heavily critical of Horner’s reign and clearly wanted a change within the team. He got his wish, and now he has a completely different approach.

Jos Verstappen is happy to sit back and not ‘interfere’ with Laurent Mekies at Red Bull

Laurent Mekies stepped up to replace Horner and instantly changed the atmosphere at Red Bull. He continued to develop the RB21, which took Verstappen to within two points of winning his fifth consecutive title.

Speaking to Formule1.nl, Jos Verstappen admitted that he does not want to ‘interfere’ with Mekies, as he trusts his judgment. It is entirely different to how he acted with Horner, as he was much more hands-on and critical of his leadership.

“Laurent is proactive, a team boss who consults well with his engineers and asks the right questions. Laurent challenges the engineers,” he said.

“In addition, there’s what Max did in Monza. He said there: “We need to push harder, seek the limit more.” Max now not only has a listening ear, but also a team boss who helps him find performance.

“I recently read an article where Max said: “It feels like a family again.” Before, it was falling apart, so to speak. Now we all take each other by the arm and go full throttle.

“I talk to Laurent occasionally, but I don’t want to interfere too much. I’m here as a father. But I see what he’s working on, let him do his thing.

“The feeling is completely different now, it feels as it should. I didn’t have that at all in the last two years and I said so at the time, yes. You could tell from the team, from Max that the feeling was different. Now Max is happy, things are going really well.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Max Verstappen is happy again at Red Bull, but he could still leave in 2026

Verstappen is having fun again at Red Bull, according to his father, since Mekies took over. He has changed the mood around the team and got them back competing at the front of the grid.

The momentum is with the Milton Keynes outfit as they head into the new technical regulations in 2026. Red Bull will roll out their in-house power unit, which they hope will be competitive.

It will need to be, as the prospect of Verstappen leaving the team is still very much there. He has an exit clause in his contract that allows him to leave if he is not in the top two of the championship, and Mercedes will be ready to pounce.

Red Bull need to encourage the Dutchman with their engine, and so far, things are looking good. Ford have addressed Verstappen’s biggest concern with the battery, according to Ralf Schumacher, which should give him peace of mind.