Mekies reveals 'the biggest surprise' working with Verstappen

Laurent Mekies has revealed how Max Verstappen has surprised him since the pair have been working together at Red Bull.

Red Bull have been taking steps forward since the summer break and are now applying significant pressure on McLaren in the Drivers' Championship battle.

Mekies joined the Austrian outfit as team boss in July and told the Securing The Win podcast how Verstappen took him aback outside the car.

He said: "I think the biggest surprise has been to discover him outside of the car, because obviously we don't have access to that when we are a competitor or when we are a regulator or whatever. He's as extraordinary, if not more extraordinary, out of the car as in the car.

"The level of commitment is his deep understanding of the complexity of the team, trying to give him the fastest possible car, and how to drive that team towards the right solution for the car is incredible.

"He lives day and night for racing. You call him at any time, he will be on his simulator, or he will be training."

Max Verstappen after the US Grand Prix - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen is battling for a fifth world championship

McLaren have had the quickest car for much of 2025, particularly in the opening stages when Ocscar Piastri and Lando Norris won five of the first six races between them.

However, the dynamic is different with five Grands Prix remaining. Verstappen cruised to victory at the United States Grand Prix and is now just 40 points behind championship leader Piastri.

The reigning world champion is pushing for a fifth consecutive title and has been ice-cool under pressure since the summer break.

The title battle may go down to the wire as just 40 points separate the top three in the world championship.

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