Red Bull Receiving Interest From Top Drivers as Mekies Backs Verstappen to Stay

Red Bull Receiving Interest From Top Drivers as Mekies Backs Verstappen to Stay

By Alex Christian|MBCF News _July 22, 2026

MILTON KEYNES, England — Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies says the team is receiving interest from several leading Formula 1 drivers amid continued speculation over Max Verstappen's future, but says improving the team's pace will be the key to keeping the four-time world champion.

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through the end of the 2028 season, although his deal reportedly contains performance clauses that could allow him to leave after the 2026 campaign. Reports have linked the Dutch driver with Mercedes and McLaren, though both teams currently have their driver line-ups under contract.

Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix following last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Mekies acknowledged that interest exists on both sides of the Formula 1 driver market.

"It's working in both directions," Mekies said.

"It's completely natural Max gets called from everyone because he's the best driver in the world and, equally, if you are a top team, you are going to get calls from many of these good drivers around as well. That's natural."

Despite ongoing speculation, Mekies insisted Red Bull's focus remains on improving the RB22 rather than worrying about Verstappen's future.

"Is it a distraction for us? Not really. The full focus is to get that car as fast as it can, then you will keep your best driver in the world," he said.

"We also see there's a massive growth of Isack Hadjar alongside Max. That for us is the ideal pairing and we try to make sure we can keep that pairing."

Red Bull has reduced the performance gap to the front of the field since introducing a major upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen has finished on the podium in two of the last three races, while teammate Isack Hadjar has recorded six consecutive top-six finishes, including a charge from 21st to sixth at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Mekies said the team's progress has been encouraging after starting the season well off the pace.

"All we need to do is to continue to progress with the car," he said.

"We started the season a bit more than one second off the pace."

"We started on the back foot but these guys did it again. We were more than a second away and we are now talking about the last two or three tenths for ultimate pace."

Mekies acknowledged Verstappen's frustration earlier in the season but believes Red Bull is now much closer to challenging at the front.

"When you are one second away, the drivers are going to be frustrated, Max is going to be frustrated. And we know it's not the position we want to stay."

"The best way to close the subject is to go and get these last two or three tenths and that's what everyone is focused on."

Red Bull has undergone significant changes over the past two years, with several key figures departing the team. Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is also set to join McLaren by 2028.

However, Mekies dismissed suggestions that the team's transition would affect its chances of retaining Verstappen.

"It's more simple than what it seems, because ultimately it's only about speed," Mekies said.

"Red Bull and Red Bull Racing only have one objective, it's to win, and it's the same objective that Max has."

"So, it's not about, how can we prove to him that we can win. We are here to win anyhow."

He added that Red Bull's recent progress demonstrates the team's ability to continue fighting for victories.

"Now we are in the hardcore part of it, the last few tenths, the most difficult ones to get, but what we need to do is continue to work as a united group, and that's how we'll produce the best results."

Formula 1 now heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break, with Red Bull aiming to continue closing the performance gap as speculation over Verstappen's long-term future continues.

Analysis: Why Red Bull Believes Performance, Not Contracts, Will Decide Max Verstappen's Future

Formula 1 has always been a sport where speed determines almost everything. While contracts, salaries, and negotiations often dominate headlines, teams ultimately keep their best drivers by giving them a car capable of winning races. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies made that point clear when addressing the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen's future. Rather than focusing on rumors or transfer talks, Mekies believes the team's priority is improving the RB22 by the final few tenths of a second that separate Red Bull from the front of the grid.

His comments reveal an important reality about Formula 1. Every top driver wants to compete for victories and championships. Verstappen is no different. Although he remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, performance clauses reportedly give him the opportunity to leave if the team cannot remain competitive. That means Red Bull's greatest challenge is not simply convincing Verstappen to stay with words but proving on the track that it can continue fighting for race wins.

Mekies also acknowledged that the Formula 1 driver market works both ways. Top drivers naturally attract interest from rival teams, and successful teams also receive inquiries from talented drivers looking for opportunities. His admission that Red Bull is receiving calls from "good drivers" should not be viewed as evidence that Verstappen is leaving. Instead, it reflects the normal business of Formula 1, where teams constantly evaluate future options regardless of their current lineup.

The fact that Verstappen continues to attract attention from other teams is hardly surprising. He remains one of the sport's most successful and respected drivers, with multiple world championships and a reputation for extracting the maximum performance from his car. Any team capable of signing him would naturally explore that possibility. At the same time, Red Bull knows replacing a driver of Verstappen's caliber would be one of the hardest tasks in Formula 1.

One of the most encouraging signs for Red Bull is that the team appears to be moving in the right direction. Mekies pointed out that the RB22 began the season more than one second off the pace of the leading cars. In Formula 1, a one-second deficit is enormous and often leaves a team unable to compete consistently for victories. Through upgrades and continued development, Red Bull has reduced that gap to only a few tenths of a second. That improvement demonstrates the team's ability to respond under pressure.

Recent race results also support Mekies' confidence. Verstappen has returned to the podium in two of the last three races, suggesting Red Bull's upgrades are producing positive results. Although there have still been setbacks, including reliability issues at Silverstone, the overall trend indicates that the team is making progress rather than falling further behind.

Another positive development is the emergence of Isack Hadjar. Mekies highlighted the young driver's impressive form, describing the current Verstappen-Hadjar combination as Red Bull's ideal pairing. Hadjar's run of top-six finishes shows that Red Bull's driver development program continues to produce competitive talent. Having two drivers capable of scoring strong points is crucial in modern Formula 1, where the Constructors' Championship rewards consistency across an entire season.

The comments also reflect the confidence Red Bull has in its engineering department. The team has experienced significant changes over the past two years, including the departure of several key personnel. Such transitions often raise concerns about whether a championship-winning organization can maintain its competitive edge. Mekies, however, emphasized that the people remaining within the team have already demonstrated their ability to recover from difficult situations. By pointing to the progress made since the opening races, he argued that Red Bull still possesses the technical strength required to fight at the front.

Perhaps the most significant message from Mekies is that Red Bull is not trying to convince Verstappen with promises alone. Instead, the team believes results will speak louder than negotiations. If the RB22 continues improving and Red Bull returns to consistently challenging for victories, there will be fewer reasons for Verstappen to consider alternatives. In Formula 1, success on the track remains the strongest argument any team can make.

The wider Formula 1 driver market also plays a role in this situation. Several leading teams already have drivers under long-term contracts, reducing the number of realistic destinations available to Verstappen should he ever choose to leave Red Bull. While speculation linking him to Mercedes and McLaren continues, neither option appears straightforward based on current contract situations. That reality gives Red Bull additional incentive to continue developing its car rather than becoming distracted by transfer rumors.

For fans, the ongoing speculation highlights how closely Formula 1 follows both sporting performance and business decisions. Every improvement made to the RB22 will likely be viewed as another reason for Verstappen to remain with Red Bull. Likewise, every disappointing result could trigger renewed discussion about his future. Until any official decision is made, rumors will remain part of the conversation.

As Formula 1 heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break, Red Bull faces an important opportunity. A strong performance would reinforce Mekies' belief that the team is closing the remaining performance gap. Continued progress could also strengthen confidence within the team as development continues for the rest of the season.

Ultimately, Mekies' message is simple and consistent. Red Bull understands that retaining the world's best driver depends less on public statements and more on delivering a winning Formula 1 car. If the team continues reducing the gap to its rivals and fighting for victories, the speculation surrounding Verstappen's future may gradually lose momentum. In a sport where every fraction of a second matters, those final few tenths could prove decisive—not only in races but also in shaping Red Bull's future with its star driver.

This situation serves as another reminder that Formula 1 remains a results-driven championship. Contracts provide stability, but performance creates loyalty. As long as Red Bull continues demonstrating progress on the track, it will have a strong case for keeping Verstappen at the center of its long-term plans while maintaining its position among the sport's leading teams.

Source: Sky Sports_ July 22, 2026