Red Bull‘s Mekies Responds to Verstappen’s 2025 Win Doubts
Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies has dismissed Max Verstappen’s concerns that the team will not secure any more victories in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Verstappen’s remarks followed a challenging weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he qualified eighth and finished ninth, leading to his claim that “nothing works” on the RB21. In contrast, Mekies believes the team’s struggles in Budapest are merely an anomaly and not a reflection of their season as a whole.
Verstappen’s Concerns Spark Debate
Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Red Bull managed to score only two wins this year, Verstappen pointed to the team’s performance decline, suggesting they would struggle to add to their tally in the coming races. His comments came amidst a backdrop of Mclaren‘s dominance, as they secured yet another 1-2 finish, further amplifying Red Bull’s issues.
Mekies Insists on Team Resilience
Mekies, who is still in the early days of his tenure with Red Bull, insisted that the team can bounce back from the disappointments of Hungary. “It was a tough weekend,” he stated, further emphasizing that factors specific to the Hungaroring contributed to the poor showing. “What we have seen today was outstanding,” he added, referencing the previous success at the Belgian Grand Prix sprint where Verstappen exhibited competitive speed.
Importance of Track-Specific Performance
While acknowledging that certain tracks pose challenges for the RB21, Mekies reassured fans and stakeholders alike that this weekend’s performance was not indicative of the team’s overall capabilities. “We accept the fact that we are probably not very strong on tracks like Hungary,” he said, but insisted that “the season is still very long,” allowing for growth and learning opportunities.
Development Path Ahead
Both Mekies and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko have indicated that the team sees the struggles in Hungary as a one-off. They believe that improvements can be made with ongoing development efforts, particularly in high-speed circuits where the team has historically excelled. “For us, it points towards more tyre usage and the tyre being switched on more than our performance,” Mekies concluded, marking a positive outlook as the season progresses.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds, the spotlight will remain on Red Bull as they seek to reclaim their winning form and respond to Verstappen’s concerns with resilience and adaptability.
