Max Verstappen's future is with Red Bull insists Laurent Mekies but speculation still swirls

Verstappen has been repeatedly linked with rival teams after Red Bull's disappointing start to Formula 1's new regulations. The Milton Keynes outfit sits fourth in the Constructors' Championship after seven rounds, having managed just one podium finish with Verstappen all season.

That has fuelled speculation over performance clauses in Verstappen's contract, which runs until the end of 2028, while rumours this week have even suggested preliminary interest from McLaren despite the reigning Constructors' Champions publicly backing their current line-up.

Speaking after Friday practice at Red Bull's home race in Spielberg, Mekies dismissed suggestions that Verstappen's future is becoming a distraction: "Max has made clear to us that he wants to continue with the team. It's equally clear that he needs a fast car for him to be happy with the team.

"We are not asking Max every week. He's there. He's pushing with us. He's helping us to find the right development space for the car, so it's not the topic for us. The topic for us is get the car back to where we want it to be," added Mekies.

Red Bull has arrived in Austria with one of its biggest upgrade packages of the season, hoping to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari after a difficult opening phase of 2026.

Mekies admitted the package represents an important milestone, although he warned it would not transform the RB22 overnight.

He expalined: "Max wants a fast car, always wanted a fast car, and he completely trusts us in making sure we are doing everything we can in the short-term and the long-term to ensure we return to success and continue to succeed.

"We completely know that we need more steps. This weekend is quite a crucial step to try to get much closer and fight for bigger positions. It doesn't mean that everything will be resolved this weekend. It means that we will need a bit of time to get the package to work – it's very large."

Mekies added that Red Bull's target is to reduce its performance deficit: "We hope we can get out of this weekend and be within the last two or three tenths, which I think with the number of races is a remarkable progression, and that's what matters at the moment – that we are able to close that gap continuously."

While Mekies was prepared to address Verstappen's future, he refused to be drawn into fresh speculation surrounding Red Bull's technical department, including reports that chief engineer Paul Monaghan could be set to leave.

"I don't think it would be right for me to comment on every single rumour that comes out," he said. "If I look at the names that have been circulating in the last few months, most of them are still in the garage.

"Some had never wanted to leave, some have changed their mind, some are staying with us. Paul is actually here today. He has been working very hard to get our cars out this morning."

For now, Mekies insists Red Bull's attention remains firmly on extracting more performance from the RB22 rather than discussing Verstappen's future, even as speculation continues to surround Formula 1's biggest name.
(Reporting by Agnes Carlier at Red Bull Ring)