Mekies insists Verstappen fully committed despite regulation frustrations and engineer departure

Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies has pushed back against speculation about Max Verstappen's future, insisting the four-time champion is still fully committed to the team. Verstappen has been openly critical of the 2026 regulations, calling the cars "Formula E on steroids" earlier this year, and his dissatisfaction has been compounded by the impending departure of long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren as chief racing officer (no later than 2028).

Why it matters:

Verstappen's unhappiness, combined with a challenging start to the season (he sits seventh in the drivers' standings with 26 points after four rounds), has raised questions about his long-term loyalty. If Red Bull cannot deliver a car he can consistently push, the team risks losing the driver who has defined its recent dominance.

The details:

• Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Mekies emphasized that the Verstappen he sees is "a fully committed Max" who is actively helping the team improve the car.
• "He raised his voice when he felt things needed to be done," Mekies said, acknowledging the driver's frustration. "We have a step forward for the regs coming in Miami. He is embracing that."
• The team principal stressed the priority is giving Verstappen a car he can push with, noting the first three races were very difficult for both him and rookie Isack Hadjar.
• Meanwhile, the FIA announced that for 2027, regulations will increase internal combustion engine power by 50kW and reduce electrical output by the same amount – a move that should appease Verstappen's desire for more traditional racing characteristics.

What's next:

The immediate focus is the Miami Grand Prix, where regulation tweaks are expected to improve car behavior. Beyond that, the 2027 rule change signals a recalibration of the power unit formula. If Red Bull can solve its current performance issues, Verstappen's commitment is likely to remain solid – but the clock is ticking on the Lambiase departure and the team's ability to keep its star driver happy.