Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies responds to persistent rumors about the Formula 1 future of his star driver Max Verstappen. After the announced departure of his regular race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, doubts were openly raised about the world champion’s further F1 career. The Frenchman, however, states that Lambiase’s departure plays ‘absolutely no’ role in Verstappen’s decision on whether or not he stays in F1.
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It was announced in early April that Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s regular race engineer, will leave Red Bull for McLaren after 2027. Immediately, rumors also circulated about the future of the four-time world champion himself with the Austrians. According to team boss Laurent Mekies, the announced departure of Lambiase, and other prominent figures around the world champion, plays ‘absolutely no’ role in Verstappen’s decision to continue or not with Red Bull.
“Of course, we speak to Max every day. And Max knows motorsport inside out,” the Frenchman tells The Race. “He lives and breathes this team. He knows most of these guys, and understands very well what dynamics can arise. The team has been extremely successful and you can’t promote everyone. And some people make certain decisions.”
Red Bull would also, according to The Race, try to convince Verstappen to stay by, among other things, inviting the world champion last week to the usual meeting for new employees. “He was there when we welcomed the 120 people, and I think we have hired more than 400 people in the last nine months,” Mekies adds. “We very closely monitor the inflow and outflow of our colleagues at the top teams. Our greatest fortune is the amount of talent we have and the constant, dynamic environment that allows them to grow. And that is what we must focus on, what we decide to focus on.”
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Progress at Red Bull
Red Bull has had a difficult start to the season, which currently places the team below Haas in the constructors’ championship. In addition, Verstappen has repeatedly criticized the new cars, which he even labeled as ‘unworthy of F1’. Red Bull is at least bringing an upgrade package to Miami in an attempt to turn the tide.
“One thing is for sure: we haven’t solved everything yet,” Mekies immediately says. “But there is no doubt that progress has been made to offer our drivers a more consistent product. How does that relate to the competition? That’s impossible to say. But as for us alone on the track, as for offering our drivers a more consistent product, I am convinced that we have made progress. But have we solved everything? No, not that.”
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