Mekies hails ‘outstanding’ Verstappen in Red Bull resurgence

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has praised Max Verstappen's exceptional technical sensitivity, highlighting the Dutch driver's crucial role in helping the team execute a remarkable turnaround during the 2026 season. Following early struggles, Red Bull successfully closed the gap through targeted upgrades and improved reliability, leading to recent dominant victories for the four-time World Champion in Malaysia and Singapore. Mekies emphasized that Verstappen's precise feedback has been instrumental in guiding the development of both the chassis and the power unit. Despite closing to within just seven points of McLaren for third place in the Teams' Championship, Mekies remains cautious, noting that Red Bull has now completed its major upgrade program for the year and expects fierce competition as rivals continue to develop. Looking ahead, Red Bull has shifted its primary focus and resources toward the 2027 season while aiming to maximize learning from the remaining 2026 races. Although no further substantial car upgrades are planned, the team remains fully committed to extracting maximum performance every weekend and applying these vital lessons to their future championship aspirations.