Mekies makes Red Bull smile again: Is that why Verstappen may stay?

Laurent Mekies, as the new team boss, immediately creates a positive vibe for Red Bull Racing. Could this be the reason for Max Verstappen to remain loyal to the Austrian team until 2026?

It's a world apart. Anyone entering the Red Bull Energy Station this weekend will see smiling faces and feel the positive atmosphere. Of course, some people within the Red Bull Racing organisation miss Christian Horner. But for the most part, it's business as usual, on a day when Verstappen once again outshone his car with a second place in qualifying for the Sprint.

Mekies' impact at Red Bull

Undoubtedly, how Red Bull is run these days is exactly how Verstappen and his entourage like to see the Austrian team: a place where you want to be, with colleagues who, with a package of updates, are trying to unanimously achieve the maximum result.

Of course, it remains to be seen how the coming months will unfold, but under the new team boss, Mekies, Red Bull could also be the place where Verstappen feels (again) at home. Sure, Verstappen's decision to move to another team or not hinges on wanting to see progress on a technical level.

But the fact that it's much quieter now than a few weeks ago it certainly means a lot to him. It could well be the reason that the Dutchman decides to stay with the Austrian team at least until 2026. In the coming weeks, after the last Grand Prix before the summer break, the four-time world champion will make a decision.

Is Verstappen staying with Red Bull after all?

Anyone wanting to bet on what Verstappen does; it's slowly expected that the Dutchman will 'just' stay with Red Bull - the team with which he has celebrated his greatest successes. And who knows, perhaps Red Bull can surprise next year with the new technical regulations? Is Red Bull once again a serious championship contender?

Suppose Red Bull is not competitive in '26, then Verstappen surely has all the opportunity to move again next year. But especially in a calm Red Bull - as it is now; why leave after this season?

Mekies has barely started his new task, but he may already have clinched his first significant victory.

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