Laurent Mekies welcomed the extension of Max Verstappen until 2030 and assures that Red Bull keeps its ambitions intact to return to the top of Formula 1.
Red Bull has secured one of the key pieces of its future. Max Verstappen has extended his contract with the Milton Keynes team until the end of the 2030 season, thus putting an end to the many speculations surrounding his future.
In recent months, the four-time world champion had notably been linked to Mercedes and McLaren, while the possibility of an early departure from Formula 1 had also been mentioned. Verstappen ultimately chose to continue the adventure with the team that has supported him since 2016.
For Laurent Mekies, keeping the Dutchman obviously represents a strong signal as Red Bull is currently going through a rebuilding phase.
“Seeing Max continue with us and keep the best driver on the grid is fantastic news for everyone at Red Bull, but also for Formula 1 and motorsport as a whole” said the team principal.
Mekies praises Verstappen’s impact on Red Bull
Since joining Red Bull, Verstappen has become inseparable from the team’s greatest successes. He has won his four world titles there and established himself as the central figure of the team.
Mekies believes that few partnerships in sport can compare to the one built between Verstappen and Red Bull over the years.
“Very few partnerships in sport have achieved what Max and this team have accomplished. From the start, Max embodies everything that makes Red Bull special: uncompromising competitiveness, relentless determination, and the courage to challenge conventions.”
The Frenchman also emphasizes the influence exerted by Verstappen beyond his on-track performances.
“His impact on our team and on Red Bull’s history in motorsport has been decisive. He has played a fundamental role in everything we have achieved together.”
An extension based on trust
Verstappen’s decision comes during a period of significant changes in Milton Keynes. Despite the many departures of historic figures from the team and a more challenging first half of the 2026 season competitively, the Dutchman has chosen to bet on the long-term project.
Read more Max Verstappen explains why he chose to extend with Red Bull
For Mekies, this decision primarily reflects the trust built between the driver and his team.
“The decision to continue our journey together is based on the trust that Max and the team have built over the years, as well as Max’s trust in our collaborators, our culture, and our vision for the future.”
A relationship that, according to the Red Bull boss, has strengthened both in times of dominance and in more difficult moments.
“We are not done yet”
With Verstappen now committed until 2030, Red Bull can focus on its main goal: to sustainably return to the fight for wins and world titles.
And Mekies warns that the team does not intend to consider its impressive record with the Dutchman as a chapter now behind it.
“But we are not done yet. There are still races to win, milestones to reach, and more history to write” he states.
Red Bull thus intends to continue its evolution around Verstappen, despite the expected changes in the coming years.
“Many things will evolve as we move forward, but our ambition remains unchanged: the same direction, the same vision, one team.”
With its star driver now secured for the long term, Red Bull has an essential base to try to regain the dominant position it still held a few seasons ago.
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