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Red Bull boss hails Max Verstappen importance: 'He gives us a triple advantage'
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has hailed the importance of
Max Verstappen, noting that he gives the Austrian outfit a "triple
advantage." Verstappen remaining with the Milton Keynes-based
outfit for the start of the new power unit regulations is a major
boost for Red Bull, given the conversations that were held with
Mercedes. The Dutchman’s future was a significant talking point for
the first half of the 2025 season, with George Russell having
confirmed at the Austrian Grand Prix that his own contract talks
with Mercedes had been delayed by discussions between the Silver
Arrows and Verstappen. However, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix,
Verstappen put all the rumours and speculation to bed by stating
that he would remain with Red Bull for 2026. Despite this,
performance clauses reportedly remain in his contract, allowing an
exit before his deal concludes at the end of the 2028 season.
Mekies has already acknowledged that the 28-year-old sticking with
Red Bull is a "risk," given the new regulations but also the fact
that the team is producing its own power unit for the first time in
its history. There is a huge unknown surrounding just how
competitive the RB22 will be, with a true answer unlikely to emerge
until the opening rounds. Nevertheless, Verstappen will be with Red
Bull for the start of F1 and the team’s new era, with Mekies
addressing exactly what the four-time world champion brings to the
outfit. "I think we have a triple advantage with Max," Mekies told
De Telegraaf . "First of all, because of his commitment. "Number
two is his feeling in the car and the extra brain capacity he has
in the car to deal with all those issues. "Finally, Max can push
the team in the right direction like no other, which helps us get
even more out of the car. He thus gives us a significant boost."
