Verstappen welcomes Mekies extension but tempers Austin expectations
The Red Bull driver says his team principal deserves to stay through 2031, while warning that two recent wins do not guarantee a third.
Max Verstappen has backed Laurent Mekies’ contract extension as Red Bull CEO and team principal, while cautioning against expecting another victory at the upcoming Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix has not yet been held. Speaking at Thursday’s media day in Austin, Verstappen said Red Bull’s strong performances in the previous two races did not ensure that success would continue.
Verstappen supports Mekies staying through 2031
Red Bull announced earlier in October that Mekies would remain in the role until 2031. He joined the team from Racing Bulls in 2025.
Verstappen praised Mekies as a hard worker and good leader, and said the atmosphere in the team supported extending his contract. These remarks were reported by Formula 1.
Recent wins do not settle Austin prospects
Verstappen has won the previous two Grands Prix, in Malaysia and Singapore, as Red Bull showed improved form during the 2026 season. He said those results were not a guarantee of another strong weekend at the Circuit of The Americas.
He noted that the two races had been hot and humid, whereas Austin was expected to be dry. Verstappen said conditions and the team’s engine performance could differ, and that Red Bull would approach the weekend step by step.
Red Bull’s early-season progress came after a slow start under the 2026 regulations, with the team building its own engines alongside Ford. Verstappen also said there were areas of the car the team could not change for the current year, while hoping to make improvements for the following season.
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The United States Grand Prix remains ahead; no race result or championship consequence is established by Verstappen’s comments.
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Sources
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Formula 1
Official source · 22/10/2026 22:39
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