Laurent Mekies says Max Verstappen will start smiling again when he sees Red Bull’s Miami upgrade

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has claimed that the team’s upgrades for the upcoming races will put the smile back on Max Verstappen’s face.

So far in 2026, Verstappen has endured a tough season, having only scored 12 points in three races, putting him behind the likes of Pierre Gasly and Oliver Bearman in the standings.

It has been well documented that Verstappen is not keen on the sport’s new regulations, having branded them as ‘anti-driving’ and Mario Kart-like in the past.

Following last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, it was reported that Verstappen is thinking about retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season. 

Final time 💪 Who is the F1 GOAT, Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Laurent Mekies says Red Bull’s upcoming upgrades will make Max Verstappen smile again

Speaking recently to Sky Sports, Red Bull team principal Mekies stated that the team’s priority is to provide Verstappen with a car he can consistently push with. 

The Frenchman also claimed that once the planned upgrades start working, a smile will return to Verstappen’s face.

Mekies said: “We have a step forward for the regs incoming for Miami. He (Verstappen) is embracing that. Will it be enough? We have time to see together if it’s going to be enough or not.

“We are conscious that the priority is that we give him a car he can push with. This has not much to do with the regs. We knew we gave him and Isack a very difficult car in the first three races.

“We need to give him a car he can consistently push with, then after it doesn’t mean that it will be fast enough for pole positions, but it means he can start to bring his Max effect, and we can start to bolt development onto that car.

“I have every confidence that things may not be fixed for Miami, but the team is going to get to the bottom of what is limiting us in the same way that they have done last year, and you will see more and more smiles on Max’s face.”

F1 is back but which team will have made the biggest step forward since Japan?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, it has been suggested that Red Bull will bring upgrades to reduce the weight of the RB22.

Since the 2026 campaign began, it has been rumoured that the RB22 is overweight by around 10kg, therefore limiting the car’s performance.

Red Bull are hoping that the upcoming improvements will lighten the chassis, which Isack Hadjar previously described as ‘terrible’.

READ MORE: Zak Brown thinks Red Bull face the ‘same’ talent issue McLaren had before they won recent F1 titles

Laurent Mekies gives ‘direct’ response to Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future

Aside from the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future, Mekies has had to deal with the confirmation that Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren as Chief Racing Officer in 2028. 

After the Lambiase news was confirmed, further doubts were raised about Verstappen’s future, with rumours linking the Dutchman with a move to McLaren.

When asked whether recent departures would lead to Verstappen leaving, Mekies said: “Absolutely not. That’s my direct answer to you. Obviously, we speak with Max every day. And Max knows motorsport upside down.

“He’s living and breathing this team. He knows most of these guys. He understands very well the dynamics that can happen.

“The team has been extremely successful and you can’t promote everyone. And some people make some decisions.”

Looking ahead, it is clear that Mekies has a huge job on his hands to provide a better car for his drivers and also to make sure Verstappen believes Red Bull is still the right place for him.