Verstappen’s new Red Bull deal for 2026 could tip the balance of power in F1. Insiders hint that Laurent Mekies’ role may be at risk as the Dutch star gains unprecedented leverage. Is this just contract business – or the start of something much bigger?
Laurent Mekies should be afforded patience at Red Bull. He arrives at a team not quite in crisis, but not far short.
Christian Horner left Red Bull fourth in the constructors’, which would be their lowest position for 10 years. Max Verstappen’s title streak will almost definitely end, and the second-driver crisis is worse than ever with Yuki Tsunoda at the wheel.
Development on the 2025 car is almost complete, so Mekies won’t have any real influence. And the RB22, the first car for the new regulations, will already have taken shape too.
Red Bull’s prospects may be largely set in stone until the second half of 2026, or even 2027. Horner may have reigned for 20 years, but many team principals elsewhere don’t last 10% of that time.
Max Verstappen’s exit clauses are even more favourable from 2026
One of Mekies’ first tasks, in conjunction with the rest of the senior management, will be to lock down Verstappen for 2026. That clearly carries enormous importance.
Verstappen reportedly had a role in Horner’s exit but still isn’t guaranteed to stay. Mekies will have to impress the Dutchman to ease his evident doubts over the team’s future.
While he’s under contract until the end of 2028, Verstappen’s deal contains exit clauses. This year, he must remain inside the top three in the standings, which looks likely.
But according to The Race, the clauses will be weighted more heavily in Verstappen’s favour from 2026. That means Red Bull will have to meet a higher performance benchmark to secure his services.
Ralf Schumacher makes big prediction about Laurent Mekies’ tenure at Red Bull
Verstappen signed his deal in 2022 when he was on the path to a second world title. He knew the regulation changes were coming for 2026, though, and didn’t want to overcommit.
The worry for Mekies is that Red Bull’s engine is behind target ahead of its debut. That could prevent the team from meeting the criteria in Verstappen’s deal.
Of course, he can choose not to utilise the clause even if it becomes active. But if they are lagging behind, he’ll need assurances that they’ll quickly close the gap.
Ralf Schumacher is confident Mekies will be ‘brilliant’ at Red Bull after stepping up from the sister team. It could benefit Tsunoda, who thrived under his leadership at Faenza.
