Mekies on Verstappen’s new deal, Hadjar and Lawson

Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has expressed his delight following the announcement that four-time World Champion Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension keeping him with the team through 2030. Mekies described the deal as a major boost for the team, emphasizing that securing the sport's best driver provides a stable foundation for Red Bull's future winning cycle and demonstrates immense trust in the team's culture and vision. Addressing the team's current form, Mekies acknowledged that while Red Bull has made significant progress in closing the performance gap, they remain unsatisfied until they return to race victories. He noted that although the team is not yet at a level to win in a fair fight, the field remains competitive enough to seize opportunities should rivals stumble. In addition to the contract news, Mekies confirmed that Isack Hadjar will miss the Dutch Grand Prix due to a minor wrist injury sustained during the summer break. Consequently, Liam Lawson will step in to race for Red Bull, while Yuki Tsunoda will take over Lawson's seat at Racing Bulls. Mekies praised Lawson's resilience and consistency, stating that the New Zealander has thoroughly earned this opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities.