Heading into the 2026 Dutch GP weekend, Team Principal Laurent Mekies and Max Verstappen have shared their thoughts on the Dutchman’s renewal, what the new contract signifies for the future of the Milton Keynes outfit, and whether the four-time world champion would end his F1 career with Red Bull.
Given that they sit fourth in the championship standings, it’s fair to say that the Austrian team’s campaign so far in 2026 has been shaky at best. As they continue to tackle the brand-new regulations as a first-time power unit manufacturer, Verstappen committing to the team’s long-term future is, nonetheless, an encouraging sign.
Mekies on the significance of Verstappen renewing his contract with Red Bull
Speaking in a print media session ahead of the 2026 Dutch GP weekend, a delighted Laurent Mekies proclaimed how Max Verstappen opting to stay with Red Bull until the end of the 2030 F1 season bodes well for the sport and showcases his belief in the team’s potential.
At the same time, the Frenchman was quick to point out that they now have to deliver on the track and provide Verstappen with the best package to help him get back to winning ways. Additionally, he acknowledged that the Dutchman’s role in Red Bull extends beyond his faculty for driving extremely fast.
“It’s a phenomenal news, certainly, for Oracle Red Bull Racing, I dare to say for Formula 1 and perhaps even more globally for the sport.
“So, if there’s one word that comes to mind, and I think, the first message we exchanged when it was on, is what a demonstration of trust Max [Verstappen] has put in the team by making this decision.
“We don’t take it lightly. With that trust comes a huge amount of responsibility in living up to being able to give him the best package for the years to come.
“But if one thinks about, you know, the role that Max has in the team, he’s a lot more than the fastest driver in the world for us.”
Mekies outlines how Red Bull seek to building a winning project again
Hailing Max Verstappen as the central figure who plays a key role in how their crucial strategic decisions come about, Laurent Mekies emphasised how advantageous it is to have the 28-year-old invested in Red Bull’s long-term future as they attempt to stage a comeback.
Commenting on the foundations of a championship-worthy project, the 49-year-old mentioned how they already have their ideal driver locked into a multi-year contract.
So far as the second pillar is concerned, Mekies noted how the Milton Keynes squad boast some of the best talents in the field. He also claimed that they are confident their strategic choices—which constitute the third pillar—would bear fruit in the future.
“We have been saying it many, many times, the central point of the team is one we always refer to for all the strategic decisions we are making. And to know that he’s going to be with us in order to build that next winning cycle is phenomenal.
“So, I think more globally, if one thinks to what are the pillars you need to have in order to open that winning cycle again, well, certainly the driver side is down now.
“We have been saying many, many times that we trust we have the best talents in Milton Keynes, as that’s the second pillar.
“And certainly the third pillar is the number of strategic decisions that have been made that we trust will give us a competitive advantage. I’m referring to many, many other fun stuff we have in Milton Keynes with the real talents and a few other secrets.”
What convinced Verstappen to stay at Red Bull
With regard to what had encouraged him to renew the contract, Max Verstappen—having joined the senior team back in 2016—stated how the Milton Keynes squad have become his second family.
Reminiscing about the accolades they have earned together over the years, Verstappen also revealed how his relationship with Laurent Mekies and certain strategic decisions made by Red Bull in recent times convinced him to put pen to paper.
“Yeah, I mean, I think Laurent [Mekies] already, of course, summed it up very well. So, for me, being part of this team already for such a long time, of course, it’s definitely like a second family.
“You know, we have won so much and we have had so many incredible moments already together.
“And then, of course, with Laurent joining last year, I think from the start, the relationship has been really, really good, very open and transparent.
“That’s why I think also from my side to make up my mind was just about exactly that, about the future, some strategic decisions as well within the team.
“And for me, it feels absolutely right, you know, to continue here.”
Whether Verstappen would end his F1 career with Red Bull
Referring to his bond with co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz and how he had previously talked about finishing his F1 career with the Austrian team, Max Verstappen stated that the likelihood of him hanging up his helmet while wearing Red Bull overalls is now quite high.
Additionally, the 71-time race winner conveyed how proud he is to chase success again with the six-time Constructors’ Champions and that he would spare no effort to reclaim the top spot.
“I said this, you know, when Dietrich [Mateschitz] was still alive, I said, my goal and target is to finish my career in this team. And I think we are getting close to that.
“ I mean, of course, there’s still a lot of years ahead, but that’s still the target.
“So, that’s why I’m very proud to extend and of course, try to get back to the top. We have tasted, of course, a lot of being on top. That’s why I think you are very hungry, of course, to try and get there again.”
Mekies comments on whether Verstappen’s extension makes Red Bull an attractive prospect
In terms of how crucial Max Verstappen’s renewal is to attract new talents to Red Bull, Laurent Mekies responded, “It’s massively important.”
Disclosing that the talented men and women of Milton Keynes always have plenty of offers to consider, the Frenchman claimed that the common goal of winning unites them all. Furthermore, he asserted that a driver like Verstappen giving his stamp of approval exudes stability and ambition.
Nevertheless, Mekies clarified that Red Bull does not seek to use the Dutchman as their only selling point and that they intend to make wholesale improvements to carry on being an appealing destination for talented individuals worldwide.
“You know the good guys, and at the end of the day you are only interested in the good guys. And when I say guys, I mean guys and girls.
“The good guys, they have the choice. I’m talking about our people, and I’m talking about the people in Milton Keynes. They have the choice because they are very, very good at what they do. And as much as Max had to choose which team to commit to, they have the choice to commit left or right.
“And we are all united by only one thing. We want to win. And when you are able to say that the fastest driver in the world, more than the drivers, for the team, is with us, it’s a massive stability element. It’s a massive ambition element.
“Then everybody understands that everything else that you are setting is only with that single objective.
“So, it’s a very big element. We must not use that as an excuse. It’s a very big plus. We need to work on everything else to make sure that we keep developing and attract all the talents in the world.”
What the new contract entails
Arguing that gelling well with the team is as important as a rapid car when it comes to longevity, Max Verstappen insisted that they have the right people to make Red Bull a winning team once again.
Admitting that he is still hungry for more victories, the 28-year-old also expressed his gratitude to the team for allowing him to participate in other quests beyond F1 and offering him a very worthwhile package. At the same time, he made it completely clear that he wouldn’t disclose any further details of his new contract.
“Well, it’s what I said before. First of all, you need to feel good where you’re at. Does it even matter? This year, if you are, let’s say, in the fastest car but you don’t feel well, I don’t think that’s going to last very long.
“So I feel very good in this team. I have the belief in the people that we can get back to the top.
“And yeah, time will tell. I mean, that’s what we are targeting. I still want to win races. I’m hungry to win more.
“Plus, of course, Red Bull allows me to do things also a little bit outside of Formula 1. So, it’s like a big plus, you know, all of it, the whole package, which I’m, of course, very grateful for.
“And yeah, I mean, about the contract itself, details, I never talk about that.”
Verstappen on whether he considered changing teams before extending with Red Bull
Asked if he had engaged in negotiations with other teams on the F1 grid before finalising his contract extension with Red Bull, Max Verstappen revealed that he was contemplating retirement instead.
The four-time world champion acknowledged that his Red Bull family witnessing not only his first steps in the sport but also when the curtains fell on his F1 career would make an incredible story. Confirming that he isn’t harbouring a secret dream of driving for another team, he stated that he wouldn’t swap colours as long as he is content with the Milton Keynes squad.
“I think I was closer to retiring than changing teams. But no, all good.
“Because I like it here. I mean, I think it would be a great story if that would be possible like that, you know, being picked up by Red Bull and finishing your career within one team.
“Because like I said before, I don’t feel the need to change just to change. I don’t necessarily need to drive in another color.
“My favorite color is blue, so that helps. But yeah, it would be, of course, an amazing story if that would happen.”
