Red Bull boss insists Max Verstappen is "fully committed" despite 2026 F1 frustrations

Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies has insisted that four-time champion Max Verstappen remains fully committed to the team despite his dissatisfaction with the new regulations.

The Dutchman has been open about disliking the new regulation cars, which were introduced from 2026, describing them as "Formula E on steroids" earlier in the year.

In addition to his issues with the new regulations, the upcoming exit of Verstappen's long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, who will be moving to McLaren as chief racing officer no later than 2028, has raised questions about the Red Bull driver's future.

During an interview with Sky Sports F1, Mekies explained that the Verstappen he sees is still fully committed to the team. 

"The Max we see is a fully committed Max. He wants a fast car, and he's helping the team get a fast car. He's bringing all his energy to that. He's passionate about the sport.

"As you said, he raised his voice when he felt things needed to be done. We have a step forward for the regs coming in Miami. He is embracing that. Will it be enough? We have time to see together if it's going to be enough or not.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

"We are conscious that the priority is that we give him a car he can push with. And this has not much to do with the regs. We knew we gave him and Isack [Hadjar] a very difficult car in the first three races. We need to give him a car he can consistently push with.

"Then, after, it doesn't mean that it will be fast enough for pole positions but it means he can start to bring his Max effect and we can start to bolt development onto that car.

The FIA announced today that, for 2027, the regulations will place more focus on the combustion engine output. While changes were made to the regulations for the Miami Grand Prix, the governing body has confirmed the internal combustion engine aspect of the cars' powertrain will increase power by 50kW, while electrical power output will be reduced by the same amount.

This will go some way to appease the Dutchman. 

After the first four rounds of the 2026 season, Verstappen sits seventh in the drivers' standings with 26 points.