Max Verstappen’s renewal with Red Bull through the end of 2030 has put to rest questions about the future of the four-time Formula 1 champion. For Laurent Mekies, though, continuity also means preserving a relationship defined by accountability, candor, and the aim of returning to victory in races.
“You know, the simple truth is that Max always said he wanted to stay at Red Bull,” he told the sport’s official site. “He said that from the very first conversation we had about the contract extension to the last one. When we finally agreed on everything, he said: ‘I told you I always wanted to stay!’”
The team also reaches the present moment after pressing until the end in the title race last year. The difficulties led to frustrations, but, according to Mekies, they are the consequence of the same ambition that binds the driver and the team: “Obviously, we pushed very hard to the end in the title fight last year, so we had our moments of frustration, but that is because we are united by this singular desire to win.”
“We have only one mission, and it is to win,” he added. “So, whenever we are not winning, we will be — and we will continue to be — brutally honest with one another. We will challenge each other and we will express frustrations, because that is how we all feel as competitors, and that is what drives us to get out of bed every day,” Mekies concluded.
Red Bull faces the prospect of its first season without a victory since 2015. For Verstappen, it would also be the first time since his debut year at Toro Rosso that he would finish a season without a win.
