Laurent Mekies ‘excels’ in one area Max Verstappen complained about under Christian Horner

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Max Verstappen has expressed excitement at the prospect of working with new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies. The entire world of F1 was eager to hear his reaction to the regime change.

Christian Horner has helped Verstappen win the last four world championships, but that streak looks set to come to an end this year. He enters the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, round 13 out of 24, 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Verstappen has said that his priority is to have a contending car, but it appears Red Bull haven’t provided that this year. Mekies has already held meetings with multiple departments at Spa as he tries to implement a new culture.

Former Racing Bulls boss Mekies won’t have as much power as Horner, as Helmut Marko has acknowledged. There are rumours that Red Bull could appoint a CEO to work above him.

New Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies ‘excels’ at translating driver feedback

Motorsport Netherlands has spoken to ‘experts’ who are aware of Mekies’ biggest strengths. He apparently ‘excels’ at understanding drivers.

Mekies, who used to be a race engineer for Mark Webber, among others, is able to translate their feedback into set-up and development guidance. Verstappen in particular will welcome this attribute.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen has privately complained about the same issue that’s affecting Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

One of the 27-year-old’s main ‘gripes’, according to a recent report, is that Red Bull haven’t taken his feedback ‘seriously enough’. Mekies is unlikely to let this happen.

Verstappen’s teammates have been complaining about the car’s volatile handling for years. This year, even he has struggled to drive around its limitations.

The ultimatum Max Verstappen gave Christian Horner before Red Bull exit

There’s a limit to what Mekies can do to improve Red Bull’s overall pace, certainly for the remainder of this year. Plans for 2026 will already be at an advanced stage too.

One can foresee him gelling with Verstappen, but that will be of little use if Red Bull are off the pace next year. Mekies will oversee their critical transition to an independent power unit.

One bombshell report on Friday claims Red Bull have agreed to let Verstappen leave next year if he lodges such a request. In exchange, he will give them a chance to prove themselves under the new regulations.

It’s said that Verstappen’s camp made this demand when Horner was in charge, but he refused. That was one of the factors that contributed to his sacking.