Mekies: Verstappen Fully Committed Despite 2026 Regs Speculation

Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies says Max Verstappen is fully committed amid rumours and criticism of the 2026 power‑unit rules. The team aims to deliver a faster car and test FIA tweaks at Miami.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen’s loyalty stabilises Red Bull’s title bid and prevents rival teams from targeting their star driver.
• The 2026 power‑unit changes, especially battery harvesting and energy deployment, have reshaped race strategy; any adjustment can tip the competitive balance.

The details:

• Mekies told Sky Sports: “The Max we see is fully committed… he wants a fast car and is putting all his energy into getting one.”
• Verstappen warned that current energy‑deployment algorithms cause unsafe high‑closing‑speed overtakes.
• The FIA will roll out softer deployment curves and revised qualifying‑lap harvesting at Miami, calling the move an evolution, not a revolution.

What's next:

• Miami will be the first Grand Prix to run the updated 2026 regulations, offering Red Bull a live test of both the rule changes and the RB22’s development direction.
• Mekies says the team will “get to the bottom of what is limiting us” and hopes to see “more and more smile on Max’s face” as a faster car emerges.