Red Bull surprised by Verstappen's work toward RBPT-Ford F1 success
Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies highlights Max Verstappen's behind the scenes work with RBPT-Ford and dubs him "central" to the F1 power unit project.
"You would be surprised. Max is giving so much to the projects also outside of the car. He's not just asking the numbers."- Laurent Mekies
Mekies has stated that Verstappen is "doing everything he can" at the moment so he and Red Bull Racing can have the fastest car possible come 2026.
"Max is doing a lot more than just asking for the numbers," the Frenchman said to Sky Sports. "You would be surprised. Max is giving so much to the projects also outside of the car. He's not just asking the numbers."
"He's testing the car in the simulators, he's working with engineers on both sides of the fence [Red Bull Powertrains and Ford] to understand how do we develop these 2026 cars - where do we try to get the power? Where do we try to get the downforce? So that's how central to the project he is."
Having replaced Christian Horner following the British Grand Prix Mekies has already added podiums, and a sprint as well as a Grand Prix win with Red Bull seemingly coming to terms with their complex RB21 drive.
The Dutch Grand Prix has been key to finding the sweet spot of the car, something that under Horner's leadership the Austrian team failed to do in 12 race weekends, with Mekies at the helm, they have done in four.
Red Bull's top advisor has also been highly complimentary of the Frenchman's addition to the team, stating a technical leader such as Mekies is what is needed to triumph in modern day F1, highlighting also that the engineers are now listening more to Verstappen than blindly following the data issued by the simulation tools.
Verstappen primed for success in F1 2026 season?
Having committed to Red Bull Racing for next year, quashing rumours of a potential departure to Mercedes, the Dutchman once again shows his allegiance and loyalty to the Austrian outfit, remaining a key factor in Red Bull's potential success come next year as the Milto Keynes-based outfit grows from engine customer to engine manufacturer.
Recently Ford executive Chris Farley also praised Verstappen for his contribution to the process that Red Bull and Ford are undertaking ahead of the debut of their power unit next year.
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