Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that Max Verstappen continues to push the team for improvements across all areas, despite his disapproval of the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations. Verstappen has been particularly vocal about his criticism of the new generation of F1 cars, describing them as “Formula E on steroids” during pre-season testing and reiterating his concerns during the recent Australian Grand Prix. Despite feeling unsatisfied with how the cars performed during qualifying and expressing wider concerns about the regulations, Verstappen’s commitment to driving for Red Bull remains steadfast.
There is speculation regarding Verstappen’s future in F1 once his contract with Red Bull expires in 2028, but Mekies emphasized that his motivation within the team has not wavered. He highlighted Verstappen’s dedication to improving performance and providing detailed feedback to the team as evidence of his unwavering commitment to success. While the new hybrid power units in F1 have introduced changes in power distribution and management, Mekies believes that it’s crucial to observe how the cars perform across different tracks before passing final judgments. He acknowledged that improvements may be necessary and that all stakeholders in F1 are open to discussions on enhancing the current generation of cars for the benefit of the sport.
