Team principal Laurent Mekies says Max Verstappen will stay with Red Bull if the team delivers a fast enough car and Formula 1 adjusts parts of the 2026 regulations that drivers dislike. He links Verstappen’s plans to performance on track and to how the next rule set feels to drive, not to retirement talk or a 2027 driver-market sweep.
Mekies says Red Bull’s focus is on car speed. He plays down any push to shape the 2027 grid. The plan is to keep improving the current package, with work centered on evolving the RB22. The team is pursuing more pace and better ride quality. Mekies says the mood in the factory and the effort level reflect that focus, with staff energy aimed at finding lap time rather than scouting for future signings.
Verstappen has raised concerns about the 2026 rules, especially how energy management could affect racing rhythm and how qualifying might feel with the new power and aero balance. He has said those elements could reduce his enjoyment and make him question a long-term commitment. Those comments have fueled debate about his future beyond the current rules cycle.
Mekies is confident the sport can make targeted changes. He points to the qualifying format and energy deployment as areas where small tweaks could let drivers run more flat-out. He believes such changes would address the issues Verstappen has flagged. If F1 delivers that and Red Bull produces a car that feels fast and rewarding, Mekies expects Verstappen to be content to continue.
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull through 2028. Reports suggest his deal includes a performance-related clause that could offer him options if results fall short. Mekies does not engage in contract details. He steers the focus back to building a car that meets Verstappen’s standards and to working with the rule-makers on a 2026 package that drivers enjoy.
The message from Red Bull is clear. The team is betting on speed and on a ruleset that supports hard running. That means development hours on the RB22, attention to ride and stability, and a push inside F1 to fine-tune energy management and qualifying. Mekies says that plan, not speculation about the 2027 market or retirement, is what will decide where Verstappen races. If the car is fast and the 2026 tweaks land, Red Bull expects its star to stay put.