Mekies has ‘zero concern’ over Verstappen losing interest in F1

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has forcefully brushed aside fears that Max Verstappen could walk away from Formula 1, insisting there is “zero concern” about the Dutchman’s motivation despite his blistering criticism of the sport’s incoming 2026 rules.

In a paddock already buzzing with uncertainty over the new-era cars, Verstappen’s blunt verdicts – describing the machines as “not fun” and “Formula E on steroids” – have only amplified the drama.

Yet inside Red Bull Racing, the mood is far less alarmist than the headlines might suggest.

'Zero Concern' From the Top

Mekies was pressed directly on whether Verstappen’s open frustration with the sport’s radical new era hinted at deeper dissatisfaction. His response was immediate and unequivocal.

“Short answer is no, zero concern about that. And yes, I do recall our conversations last year when he was switching from a car model to another car model, '25 to '26 in the sim,” the Frenchman explained in Bahrain on Wednesday.

"And yes, the difference was so big that at some stage I think rightly so, he decided to focus on the '25 approach. But, you know, the reality is that the challenge of these regulations is massive.”

Rather than viewing Verstappen’s hesitation as a warning sign, Mekies framed it as a natural reaction to a seismic technical shift.

The new regulations, with their heavier hybrid impact and sweeping design changes, represent one of the boldest overhauls in modern F1 history – a reset that will test every driver and engineer on the grid.

“They are massive for the teams, massive for the power unit manufacturers, massive for the drivers as well. So it is different for all of us,” he continued.

“But that's also what we love to try to break through these challenges, to try to to find solutions that we felt were not on the table. And that's what we will do with Max's help.”

• Read also: Verstappen savages new-generation F1 cars as ‘FE on steroids’

Then came Mekies’ most telling prediction – less a defense, more a declaration of faith.

“And I'm quite confident that as it will turn out, he will probably become – he will most likely become the best at mastering those regs and technicalities and tricks as much as he was in the previous set of regulations.”

Verstappen’s Unfiltered View

While Mekies projected calm confidence, Verstappen himself has shown no intention of softening his stance.

The four-time world champion has repeatedly voiced concern that F1 risks drifting too close to electric-focused racing philosophies, something he believes undermines the championship’s identity.

“I don't want us to be close to Formula E. I want us to actually stay away from that and be Formula 1,” Verstappen told reporters.

“So don't increase the battery, actually get rid of that and focus on a nice engine and have Formula E as Formula E, because that's what they are about.”

He continued by drawing a firm line between the two categories.

“And I'm sure that with the new car, from what I've seen and talked to some of my friends in there, that's going to be also a really cool car, but let them be Formula E and we should stay Formula 1 and let's try not to mix that,” he concluded.

The contrast is striking: a driver fiercely protective of the sport’s traditional roar versus a team principal confident that competitive instinct will ultimately override philosophical discomfort.

For Red Bull, Verstappen’s sharp words are not exit signals – they are simply the sound of a champion demanding the sport remain true to its roots, even as it accelerates into a radically different future.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook