Laurent Mekies made one ‘public declaration’ at Spa that convinced Max Verstappen to commit to Red Bull for 2026

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Laurent Mekies can be reasonably satisfied with his first weekend as the Red Bull boss. The team walked away from the Belgian Grand Prix with 20 points, their best haul since winning at Imola.

Max Verstappen won the Sprint race on Saturday in a perfect start for the Frenchman, who has succeeded 20-year predecessor Christian Horner. Verstappen started and finished fourth in the main Grand Prix, a more accurate reflection of where Red Bull stand in the pecking order.

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda was lifted by Mekies’ support as he qualified seventh, his best Saturday showing for Red Bull. He dropped to 13th in the race, underlining that there is still serious work to do.

But the most important ‘victory’ of all came off track. Verstappen joining Mercedes for 2026 has now been ruled out, with the world champion ready to recommit to Red Bull.

Laurent Mekies’ ‘declaration of love’ convinced Max Verstappen to postpone potential Mercedes move

Red Bull won’t officially ‘announce’ that Verstappen is staying, because he’s under contract. But he can no longer activate a performance-related exit clause in his deal, and he won’t push to leave by an alternative route.

While Verstappen offered little indication in his Thursday media briefing that Horner’s exit had left him concerned, it was important for Mekies to fill him with confidence. And that’s exactly what the Frenchman has done.

Speaking to the sport’s official website during his first interview in Red Bull colours, Mekies said Red Bull were ‘hugely committed’ to giving their superstar driver a car worthy of his ‘magic’ talents. Verstappen feels he hasn’t been listened to in the past, but now he will have ‘huge inputs’.

“The truth is Red Bull is hugely committed to Max,” said Mekies. “And the way we can be hugely committed to Max is by giving him the best possible car. And giving him the best possible car is what every single person in the company wants more than anything else.

• READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies

“So that’s where the effort is made really. And the rest will be a consequence. But of course, Max is central to the project and he’s key to the project and we need his magic at the racetrack.

“He has been with the team for a very long time and he has huge inputs in helping us driving the next competitive edge that we will need to build.”

According to a report from F1 Insider, this ‘public declaration of love’ laid the ‘foundation’ for Verstappen’s long-awaited decision. His loyalty had been ‘previously crumbling’, but now it’s been restored.

The George Russell contract ‘clause’ that should worry Red Bull

It’s important to stress that the Verstappen uncertainty will only be placed on pause. Of course, if Red Bull nail the new regulations, then he won’t have any reason to leave.

Indeed, Verstappen would love to stay at Red Bull for the rest of his career. But his decision is likely to be complex.

Horner has already said that it would be ’embarrassing’ if Red Bull were ahead of established manufacturers like Mercedes when they introduce their first independent engine. That implies they may need time.

However, Red Bull have agreed to let Verstappen leave for 2027 if he grows frustrated. And there may still be an opening at Mercedes.

A report from Spain suggests that Russell could sign a one-plus-one contract, offering Toto Wolff some important flexibility.