Verstappen Retirement Talk Dismissed As Red Bull Focuses On Improving Ailing Car, Says Mekies

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Laurent Mekies stressed that Red Bull are not entertaining any idea of Max Verstappen stepping away from Formula One, even after another difficult weekend. Mekies believes the four-time F1 world champion will feel satisfied again once Red Bull solve their car problems and allow Verstappen to challenge at the front more consistently.

Verstappen ended the Japanese Grand Prix in eighth place on Sunday, adding to a disappointing start to the new campaign. The 28-year-old has repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction with the latest F1 regulations and has hinted that retirement could be an option, yet Red Bull maintain the focus remains on performance rather than Verstappen’s future.

Mekies underlined that there have been no internal talks about Verstappen walking away from F1 at the end of the season. Mekies said: "We are having zero discussions about those aspects. We have a lot of work to do, but I'm sure by the time we give him a fast car, he will be a much happier Max."

Mekies continued outlining why Verstappen’s mood is tied closely to the machinery. Mekies said: "By the time we give him a car that he can push and make the difference with, he will also be a happier Max. So, honestly, that's 100% of our discussions right now, is that." The message from Red Bull is therefore centred on engineering solutions.

Red Bull currently occupy sixth place in the Constructors' Championship after the early rounds, with neither driver standing on the podium so far. The team recognise that both underlying pace and weekend execution are lacking, leaving Verstappen and team-mates battling outside the usual frontrunning positions during the opening phase of the season.

Mekies detailed where Red Bull believe performance is being lost. Mekies said: "I think it's a combination of underlying performance. So, we need to do some more work. And a layer of us not being able to extract enough from the package and to give something Max can push with."

Mekies clarified that the challenge is not limited to simple adjustments. Mekies added: "And I'm not suggesting that it's set up tuning. I'm just saying there is something we are wrestling with, with that car that adds to our underlying lack of performance. Now, trying to solve this sort of complex issues and trying to understand complex limitations is our core business."

Red Bull and Max Verstappen F1 regulations and development work

Mekies also discussed the wider rule changes shaping the current season. Mekies said: "And as per the regs, as you know, they are coming with some good aspects and more tricky aspects. And as a sport, with the other teams, we will meet in the break to see how we can tweak them to make things better."

Mekies indicated that Red Bull’s structure is designed to address such technical puzzles. Mekies said: "So, as much as it feels bad when you are at the back of the top teams like now, that's precisely what the whole company is set up to do, to get to the bottom of complex limitations like that and nail them, bring development that can mitigate them and improve. And it feels bad now, but I have full confidence that that's exactly what our team is very good at."