Red Bull issue defiant statement on Max Verstappen ‘quitting Formula One’

Max Verstappen has made no secret of his disdain of the current F1 rules

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has firmly rejected suggestions that Gianpiero Lambiase’s impending departure to McLaren will influence Max Verstappen’s thinking about his Formula One future.

When questioned whether the race engineer’s exit might hasten the four-time world champion’s own departure, Mekies was unequivocal.

 

“Absolutely not,” he stated. “That’s my direct answer to you.”

Lambiase has served as Verstappen’s race engineer since the Dutchman arrived at Red Bull in May 2016, though he will not join the Woking-based outfit until 2028 at the earliest.

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen has been critical of the new F1 regulations | GETTYMekies emphasised that Verstappen remains deeply embedded within the Milton Keynes operation.

The Dutchman’s position within the championship standings adds intrigue to his contractual situation.

Verstappen is understood to possess a clause permitting him to depart Red Bull should he find himself outside the top two positions by the summer break.

Presently sitting ninth in the drivers’ standings ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, the situation appears precarious for the reigning champion.

George Russell currently occupies second place, with Verstappen trailing the Mercedes driver by some 51 points.

Laurent Mekies

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that they have no fears over Max Verstappen

 | GETTY

Red Bull’s struggles have been compounded by their new powertrain partnership with Ford, which has failed to deliver the competitiveness the team enjoyed during their dominant years.

Verstappen has been vocal in his criticism of the sport’s new regulations, which came into effect this season.

The new hybrid engines feature a 50:50 power split between internal combustion and electric components, a change that has evidently affected the Dutchman’s driving style.

He has described the 2026 machinery as “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids.”

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen conceded he was contemplating walking away from Formula 1 entirely at season’s end.

The championship has endured an enforced hiatus of more than a month after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races were cancelled owing to the conflict in the Middle East.

Red Bull have witnessed a considerable exodus of senior figures in recent seasons.

Verstappen

Max Verstappen is not happy at the moment and has threatened to quit F1

 | PAThe departures include celebrated designer Adrian Newey, long-serving adviser Helmut Marko, chief designer Craig Skinner, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and strategy expert Will Courtenay.

Former team principal Christian Horner was dismissed last summer.

Mekies refused to adopt a defensive posture regarding the talent drain.

“I don’t think we should be defensive about the losing talents aspect,” he remarked.

“It’s something that has been there for three, four, five years.”

The team principal insisted Red Bull’s priority remains cultivating an environment where staff wish to remain, describing the operation as one that “creates talent.”