Verstappen more relaxed as Mekies era continues

Max Verstappen has returned from Formula 1’s summer break in a lighter mood, even if his 2025 championship chase is no longer alive.

“What did I miss? Not the media, that was nice,” the Dutchman grinned at Zandvoort. “I didn’t even race. I just had a vacation and meetings.”

Despite slipping out of the title picture as McLaren’s drivers fight it out, the 27-year-old insists his motivation has not waned.

“It would have been harder if I knew I was fighting for the championship and then wouldn’t win anything,” Verstappen said. “I think we just need to look at the car and the operation and how we can move forward in the future and be better. That’s what we are doing currently.”

The atmosphere within Red Bull itself has also shifted since Christian Horner’s ousting earlier in the season. Verstappen denied any part in the upheaval, but Sky Deutschland pundit Ralf Schumacher observed: “His tone has clearly changed since Mekies arrived.

“That’s positive, but the pressure to perform remains. The last race was difficult, to put it mildly. If a few more races like that follow, and the race in the Netherlands is also disappointing, the pressure on the team will increase.”

Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung that new boss Laurent Mekies is steadily bedding in, saying: “He’s been getting to grips with the team, familiarising himself with the structures and staff. In the medium term, we’re working on decentralisation.

“The individual departments will have their own heads, who will then largely report to Laurent.”

Horner’s downfall was widely linked to his push for greater control, something now being spread out across the organisation.

“Rob Gray is heading the RB17 project,” Marko noted. “And Ben Hodgkinson is heading the engine department. They’ve been given a bit more responsibility.

“This allows Mekies to concentrate more on the race team. There’s already been progress there, because he’s simply an excellent engineer.”

Still, Verstappen’s longer-term commitment will inevitably be under scrutiny again with the sweeping 2026 rules reset.

“Verstappen’s future will be discussed again in the first third of next season,” Schumacher predicted. “There are so many new elements involved. You can burn your fingers by making a decision too early. It was smart of him to stay.”

The four-time champion was twice seen holidaying with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff this summer, further stoking speculation. The paddock has already tipped the new Mercedes engine to be the benchmark in 2026, with Wolff suggesting next year's cars could touch 400kph. Verstappen laughed: “Well, maybe Toto’s engine can do that…”