Laurent Mekies has addressed the potential implications of Gian Piero Lambiase’s departure on Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing.
The French motorsport chief, who recently broke his silence on the exit of the team’s head of race engineering, insisted that Lambiase’s move will not disrupt Verstappen’s long-term commitment to the Milton Keynes outfit. Mekies explained that the Dutch driver was fully aware of the discussions leading up to Lambiase’s decision to join the McLaren outfit from the 2028 campaign.
The Red Bull team principal also stressed that Verstappen remains deeply embedded within the team’s project, highlighting his regular involvement at the factory and simulator sessions, while further underlining Red Bull’s depth of talent and long-term ambitions.
“Look, we speak pretty much daily with Max. He was fully aware of the full extent of the discussion we’re having with GP, because of his own relationship with GP, and B, because we are an open book. We often say Max is not outside of the project, judging the project, he is inside with us. He was here yesterday, he was here the day before at the simulator, and so on, that front he understands extremely well that we have done a long cycle together. We have a massive reservoir of talent in the team, and we have every opportunity to make that a chance to go to a different, stronger level,” Mekies said via Sky Sports F1.
The news of Lambiase completing a switch to McLaren from the 2028 campaign has further fuelled talks of the continuity of Verstappen in Formula 1. The Dutch driver himself has hinted at considering his future in the sport amid the current regulations in the sport.
Verstappen backed to join Mercedes
Earlier, McLaren CEO Zak Brown backed Verstappen to join Mercedes if he were to leave Red Bull Racing after the 2026 season. The 54-year-old, when presented with the possibility of signing the four-time world champion after his team completed a coup for Lambiase, hinted at Mercedes being the likely destination for Verstappen.
Brown also highlighted how satisfied he is with his current crop of drivers – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – and said he does not see the need for the signing of the Red Bull driver.
GPblog Paddock Update
Want to stay up to date with the latest events from the F1 paddock? GPblog’s Paddock Update is the place to be.
Follow and subscribe to our channels on Spotify and YouTube so you don’t miss a scoop as the actions and reactions continue across the Formula 1 scene.
Check out the latest episode of our Paddock Update here 👇
