Laurent Mekies expects to hear one Max Verstappen question at ‘every race’ in F1 2026

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Laurent Mekies believes Max Verstappen is aware of the “risks” that Red Bull will take in 2026 as they become an F1 engine constructor, but it will not prevent one question.

The Milton Keynes crew step into new territory this year as the maiden Red Bull Powertrains units hit the grid. Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls will now use the RBPT DM01 engine, built in partnership with Ford, after Honda initially left F1 before signing a deal with Aston Martin.

Honda powered Verstappen to all four of his F1 drivers’ championship crowns with Red Bull from 2021 until 2024, as well as 66 of his 71 Grand Prix wins, all 48 of his pole positions and 105 of his 127 podiums. Red Bull used TAG Heuer-branded Renault engines from 2016-2018.

Verstappen’s hopes for adding to his tallies will hinge on Red Bull’s first in-house power unit, as engines are due to be the biggest performance differentiator under F1’s 2026 regulations.

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Laurent Mekies expects to be asked how Red Bull can keep Max Verstappen happy

Rival teams fear Red Bull have found a loophole in F1’s 2026 engine rules, but there are also concerns about the reliability of the RBPT DM01. Also, Racing Bulls had trouble starting their Red Bull engine during a shakedown at Imola, as the power unit got its maiden track outing.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

Red Bull team principal Mekies believes Verstappen is ready to take on the risks of becoming an engine constructor in 2026. But Mekies does not expect it will stop Red Bull from facing a constant flurry of questions about whether or not they can keep Verstappen happy in 2026.

“I think we got that question pretty much every race last year,” Mekies told the F1 website. “I will expect us to get it also every race this year.

“But, seriously, one of the many incredible things with Max is that he’s not sitting outside of the project, watching what we do and judging what we do.

“He is in the project. He takes the risk with us, he’s aware of the risk-taking. He’s aware that we take risks, as do Ford. He’s aware of the scale of the challenge.”

Max Verstappen is ‘ruling out’ leaving Red Bull ‘at this point’

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Red Bull faced an endless stream of questions about Verstappen’s future in 2025, as the 28-year-old drew interest from Mercedes. But while Toto Wolff confirmed Mercedes spoke with Verstappen’s manager, he could not activate the release clause in his contract through 2028.

Verstappen had to hit the 2025 summer break outside the top three in the drivers’ standings to have the choice to leave Red Bull at the end of last season. But the Dutchman was third at the summer break, so the frequent questions about his future have now rolled over to 2026.

It is said that Lawrence Stroll views Verstappen as Aston Martin’s top target for 2027, should Fernando Alonso elect to retire. But Verstappen is currently “ruling out” leaving Red Bull, as his plan “at this point” is to see out his contract in Milton Keynes through the 2028 season.