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Max Verstappen motivated as Red Bull braces for F1 changes

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said he’s keen to get to grips with the new car Red Bull unveiled on Thursday for a 2026 Formula One season of massive change.

The team unveiled the livery for their new cars before a few hundred guests at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, less than two months before the season opens in Melbourne on March 7.

New rules for 2026 see aerodynamic changes to make cars lighter and smaller, along with modifications to engine specifications to make for a greater contribution from electric power in the hybrid units.

“There is a lot of unknown, there are big changes in the engine, in the car,” Verstappen said. “Initially, I’ll take time to adjust during test days. The motivation is very high.”

“It always takes a bit of time to get used to things,” he added. “You need to understand where the most performance is to be found, and get comfortable in the car.

“Also, with the new engine now as well, that will take a bit of time.”

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Red Bull, which has previously relied on Honda engines, took the gamble in 2023 of developing its own engine for 2026 in partnership with automotive giant Ford, which will return to F1 22 years after its departure.

Verstappen’s run of four straight world titles ended in 2025 as McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the prize.

But despite an inferior car, the Dutch driver battled back from a massive deficit in the standings to challenge for the title, snatching eight wins, more than either Norris or teammate Oscar Piastri.

This year, Max Verstappen will be joined by French driver Isack Hadjar, promoted to the team’s Number 2 seat after a successful rookie season with Racing Bulls.

Hadjar was also on hand for Thursday’s splashy big reveal, as was Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies, who said the sweeping regulatory changes and a new engine would make for a steep learning curve.

“I think it would simply be naive of us to think we could build our engine from scratch… and be more competitive right from the start than people who’ve been doing it for 95 years,” he told AFP.

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Red Bull part ways with influential advisor Helmut Marko: reports

Influential advisor Helmut Marko is leaving the Formula One giants, Red Bull, according to several media outlets on Tuesday.

The 82-year-old Austrian has been front and centre of Red Bull’s remarkable run in F1 since their arrival on the grid back in 2005, helping to oversee six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles.

The 1971 winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours for Porsche is a close ally of Max Verstappen, who missed out on a fifth successive title by only two points to McLaren’s Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Marko was responsible for Red Bull’s young driver programme, and was behind Sebastian Vettel’s four titles, along with Verstappen’s emergence as one of the all-time greats.

The decision to split ways with Marko was said to have been made after talks with Red Bull executives in Abu Dhabi on Monday, including Oliver Mintzlaff, one of the Austrian firm’s managing directors in charge of sports, according to motorsport.com.

His departure comes months after Red Bull sacked team principal Christian Horner, who, like Marko, was at the team for its launch two decades ago.

Red Bull declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

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When quizzed on Sunday over his future, Marko responded: “It’s not in question, but I will have a discussion and then see what I do. It’s a complex set of different things.”

Horner’s replacement, Laurent Mekies, hinted changes were afoot.

“Helmut has been incredible in the support he has given us to help turn things around this year,” the Frenchman said.

“Obviously, the management and he had to make several tough decisions throughout the year, and of course, we still have more to make.

“But Formula One is not a static environment: we are always adjusting the organisation, whether in the technical or sporting domain.

“It is perfectly normal for us to constantly review how we can improve our way of working.

“I’m not saying this specifically about Helmut, but in general, we are in an environment where we continuously question ourselves and look for the next steps, no matter how small, to work together.”

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Max Verstappen begins new Red Bull era with Belgian Grand Prix win

Max Verstappen welcomed new Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies to the race team on Saturday with an immaculate gift-wrapped triumph in the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old Dutchman, who started from second on the grid, seized the lead on the opening lap and then resisted all threats from series leader Oscar Piastri, who had to defend attacks from McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, who finished third.

It was a consummate performance from Verstappen, who ran with a low downforce set-up to give him a straight-line speed advantage – for which he was congratulated by Mekies, appointed on July 9 to replace Red Bull’s former boss Christian Horner, who was dismissed unexpectedly after 20 years at the helm.

“That worked out really well,” said a delighted Max Verstappen after thanking Mekies on the team radio.

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“We got an opportunity at turn five and took it, and then it was tough to keep those two behind.

“It was cat and mouse with battery usage, and I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, although I had one lock-up – it is so difficult to keep faster cars behind, so it was all really at the limit. Not easy! But we did it.”

Laurent Mekies was equally satisfied.

“Max was brilliant and all the guys did a great job,” said the former boss of Reb Bull’s ‘B’ team, Racing Bulls. “He was under massive pressure, and he made almost no mistakes, and the team extracted everything from the car and the tyres.”

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Christian Horner sacked as Red Bull F1 team boss after 20 years

LONDON: Christian Horner was sacked on Wednesday by Red Bull after 20 years at the helm of the Formula One outfit.

The 51-year-old has been in charge since the team was formed in 2005 and led them to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ crowns.

Dutchman Max Verstappen has won the past four drivers’ titles for Red Bull, matching the achievement of Sebastian Vettel, who dominated for the team from 2010 to 2013.

Horner’s dismissal as CEO and team principal comes 17 months after he was accused by a female colleague of “inappropriate behaviour”.

The Englishman was twice cleared over the claims by the Formula One team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, and his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, stood by him.

But there have been rumblings of discontent within the team, with several high-profile departures, while form on the track has nose-dived.

“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” said a statement from Red Bull GmbH.

Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments, paid tribute to Horner, thanking him for his “exceptional work”.

“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1,” he said.

“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

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Horner’s departure comes amid speculation that Verstappen may be tempted to jump ship to Mercedes.

Although the 27-year-old Dutchman won the title last year, he only topped the podium twice in the final 14 races of the season.

Red Bull have won only two races this season, with McLaren taking their place as the team to beat.

Verstappen is languishing 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri at the halfway point of the campaign and finished a disappointing fifth at Sunday’s British Grand Prix, having started on pole.

He showed frustration with his Red Bull during the race, saying: “This car is just so difficult to drive.”

Other key figures responsible for the team’s previous dominance have left since last year including design guru Adrian Newey, who signed for Aston Martin, and Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who joined Sauber.

Max Verstappen’s father Jos, a former F1 driver, had expressed his dissatisfaction with Horner even after he was cleared of the charges of inappropriate behaviour.

He warned the team was in danger of being “torn apart” if Horner remained.

Mekies, who has been promoted from Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls, has had a long career in Formula One, previously working as racing director for Ferrari.

“The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter (Bayer),” the 48-year-old Frenchman said in a statement.

“It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people.

“The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning.”

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Jurgen Klopp ‘happy’ in new job despite Real Madrid rumours: agent

Jurgen Klopp is “very happy” in his current post at Red Bull despite rumours linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said Friday.

The former Liverpool manager became Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer in January, taking care of a stable of clubs including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil.

Real Madrid’s quarter-final elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal this week has led to speculation that manager Carlo Ancelotti is headed for the exit at the end of the season.

German media reported that Klopp was one of the names that the Spanish giants want to take over in the Bernabeu dugout.

Asked about the rumours, his agent Marc Kosicke said 57-year-old Klopp was enjoying his new job.

“Jurgen is very happy with his new role with Red Bull,” Kosicke told Sky Deutschland.

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Also speaking on Friday, RB Leipzig coach Zsolt Low said he “could not imagine” Jurgen Klopp moving to Real Madrid, adding the German was “very happy in the job.”

Low praised Klopp’s impact, saying “he’s shown that he can bring a club together, a group of 40, 50, 60 people, and take them with him.

“He adds incredible value with his experience, his human quality and his energy.”

In a 23-year career as a top-flight manager with Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, Klopp left each club of his own accord, a rarity in coaching.

“No matter where he’s been, he’s given 100 percent,” Low said, adding “regardless of where he is he’s stayed and done the job. It’s important to him to make a clean exit.”

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is considered a leading candidate for the Real Madrid job. Alonso, a former Madrid player, said Friday it was “not the time” to discuss his future.

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Max Verstappen dismisses Red Bull exit fears

Max Verstappen has poured cold water on speculation surrounding a possible Red Bull exit, choosing to keep his focus firmly on performance rather than paddock politics.

The storm was stirred earlier this week when Red Bull’s long-time advisor Helmut Marko admitted he had “great concern” that the Dutchman could leave the team if things don’t improve soon.

Marko was speaking in the aftermath of a disappointing weekend in Bahrain, where Verstappen could only finish sixth, three places ahead of his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda, behind a dominant show by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Asked specifically to comment on Marko’s fears, Verstappen shared that he is not letting external noise shift his mindset.

“I’m just focusing on driving and don’t think about any other scenarios,” he said, clearly uninterested in fuelling the rumour mill.

He elaborated that the Bahrain result stung — not just for him, but across the garage.

“Of course, Bahrain wasn’t a great weekend. I think we were all pretty disappointed with that,” he admitted.

“But I don’t sit and dwell on it. I just keep working with the team, keep trying to improve the car, and come up with new ideas. That’s how I go about my weeks — one at a time, trying to improve the situation.”

The Dutchman’s name has been linked with multiple teams over recent months, including Mercedes, Ferrari, and more recently, Aston Martin, who have just pulled off a major coup by signing former Red Bull design chief Adrian Newey.

But Verstappen made it clear that all the talk is coming from outside the cockpit, not from him.

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“A lot of people are talking about it… Except me,” he said with a smile.

“Like I said, I just want to focus on my car and work with the people around me. That’s the only thing on my mind when it comes to Formula One. I’m happy. I’m not very happy with the car, but that’s the job — we all want to be better, and we’re all working on that.”

Heading into this weekend’s Grand Prix in Jeddah — a track where Max Verstappen has won twice — the focus within Red Bull is to get back on track with improvements.

“We’re still trying things with the car,” he explained. “Are there things we can fix? Of course. But how much we’ll manage to solve here in Jeddah… that’s still up in the air.”

“We’re always pushing to find that sweet spot. It’s a narrow window, and Suzuka was proof that when we hit it, we can still deliver.”

That race in Japan remains the high point of Verstappen’s 2025 campaign so far — a brilliant pole followed by a dominant win — but with McLaren already clinching three out of four races this season, the pressure is on Red Bull to find answers quickly.

“It’s tough to fight for a championship right now, especially when we’re not the quickest,” he acknowledged.

“But it’s a long road. Last year, everything looked perfect early on, and we still hit a rough patch mid-season. So I’m just taking it race by race. I think Jeddah will be better than Bahrain — but beyond that, a lot is out of my hands.”

Joining Max Verstappen in the press conference was Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who couldn’t help but enjoy the headlines linking Max to his team.

“Those rumours are great for us — they say a lot about where Aston is heading and the kind of future this team has,” Alonso said. “Would I welcome Max as a teammate? Of course. But let’s be honest — it’s very unlikely to happen.”

For now, Red Bull’s star driver is staying put and staying grounded, focused on fixing what’s in front of him, not chasing headlines.

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World champion Verstappen confirms staying at Red Bull

Max Verstappen on Thursday confirmed he will stay with Red Bull next year, dealing a significant blow to Mercedes’ hopes of recruiting him to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

The three-time world champion told reporters at a news conference ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, a home event for Red Bull, that he was focused on work for next year’s car and driving for the team.

His response to a direct question will end, for now at least, speculation that he had lost faith in Red Bull following a stormy passage earlier this year when team boss Christian Horner was accused of controlling behaviour by a female colleague.

“Ok, yes,” he said when asked if he was staying. “And that’s what I have already said. We are working on next year’s car and when you are focused on that it means that you’re also driving for the team.

“Of course, people are talking, but it’s most important that we have a very competitive car for the future. It is very tight on track, but we are working as a team to try and improve. We want to be competitive again next year.”

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff had said Verstappen was his primary target to replace departing seven-time world champion Hamilton.

“I have a long contract with the team,” added Verstappen.

“I’m very happy where I’m at and we’re already focusing on next year with things we can implement on the car. So, I guess that should say enough of where I’m driving next year.”

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Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028.

His father Jos, attending only his second race this year after declaring in Bahrain that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner was retained, appeared to support the decision to stay and fight for more glory with Red Bull.

After seven wins from 10 races this year, Verstappen has a 69-point lead in the title race ahead of nearest rival and friend Lando Norris of McLaren, who has closed the gap on track and believes he can beat him and his two-year dominance of the sport.

Mercedes and Ferrari have also shown competitive potential to win with George Russell taking pole in Canada and Hamilton his first podium finish this season in last Sunday’s Spanish race.

“It’s great that there isn’t just one dominant force out there now because people want to see fights on track and the drivers going for it,” said Russell.

“There should be more than one car in a position to win. It’s really exciting now to see how this season pans out and into next year – there could be four or five teams fighting to win.”

If Mercedes switch their attention away from Max Verstappen, it is expected they will sign Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who will turn 18 in August.

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Verstappen says he’s happy at Red Bull so ‘no reason’ to leave

Max Verstappen again publicly committed his long-term future to Red Bull on Thursday, saying that as long as he was happy there was “no reason to leave”.

There has been speculation the triple world champion could move to Mercedes to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton next year after Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was accused of inappropriate conduct towards a woman colleague.

Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing ahead of the season-opener in Bahrain but the off-track scandal rumbled on for weeks.

The Dutchman Verstappen is signed with Red Bull until 2028 but suggested earlier in the season that he would consider leaving if the team parted company with long-time mentor Helmut Marko.

Max Verstappen’s father Jos has claimed that Red Bull faced being “torn apart” if Horner remained in position.

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However, the paddock chatter in Shanghai this week has been firmly back on racing, something that pleased Verstappen.

“After 2021 I signed a long deal with the team. The only thing I said from the beginning was that I wanted to have a quiet, peaceful environment,” Verstappen told reporters.

“Lately we have been talking about the car, so I am very happy about that already.

“That’s also how it should be. And of course as long as I am happy with the team, there has never been a reason to leave.”

Max Verstappen is chasing a fourth victory in five races in 2024 but admitted the weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix will be an unknown quantity.

The Formula One circus is back at the Shanghai International Circuit for the first time in five years with a sprint race on Saturday.

“With the new cars of course there will be a little bit of the unknown,” said Verstappen. “Of course it is the same for everyone.”

There is only one practice session on Friday before sprint qualifying, so Verstappen said it was important for the team to get the set-up nailed early.

“We need to have a good FP1 where we don’t have to fine-tune too much on the car. That will really help,” he said.

“Time will tell, I’m not too worried about it.”

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Dominant Max Verstappen wins Japanese GP in Red Bull one-two

Max Verstappen said Red Bull must capitalise on their early season dominance after romping to victory in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.

The triple world champion claimed his third win in the four races so far this year and on this evidence, the Dutchman and Red Bull will take some stopping once again.

Verstappen failed to finish in Australia a fortnight ago because of a brake issue but starting from pole he controlled the race at Suzuka from start to finish.

“I know there will be tracks coming up that might not be so favourable for us,” said Verstappen, who took the chequered flag 12.5sec ahead of the Mexican Perez.

“But then of course when we do get to the tracks where we can be quick, we have to really take advantage of it and score maximum points as a team.”

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who triumphed in Melbourne, was third in dry, sunny conditions at Suzuka.

Verstappen has taken an early stranglehold on the world championship on 77 points, with Perez on 64 and Sainz’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc on 59.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told reporters after the race that “no one is going to catch Max this year”.

“Basically the rest of the season now is the best of the rest, that’s the fact,” said Wolff.

Verstappen said this week that Suzuka was one of his favourite circuits and he has now won the Japanese Grand Prix three times in a row.

“Of course, Melbourne felt like a bit of a hiccup,” he said.

“But what we did today was what we want to do, and that’s what we aim to do every single weekend.”

Perez was also coming off a weekend to forget after finishing fifth in Australia.

He did not complete the race last year at Suzuka but was comfortable in holding off Sainz for second.

Leclerc, who started from eighth on the grid, came home in fourth.

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McLaren’s Lando Norris, second in last year’s race, was fifth ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Mercedes’ George Russell edged out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for seventh, while Lewis Hamilton was ninth in the other Mercedes.

Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda was 10th for RB, scoring points at his home Grand Prix for the first time.

Verstappen was starting from pole for the fourth time in as many grands prix, but the race was almost immediately red-flagged after RB’s Daniel Ricciardo and Williams’ Alex Albon collided in a frenetic start.

Albon’s front wing clipped into the rear of Ricciardo’s car as they jockeyed for position and both slammed into the wall before getting out unscathed, but their race was over.

The action resumed from a standing start and Verstappen picked up from where he left off ahead of Perez.

“Whenever I needed to go faster I could, whenever I needed to look after my tyres I could,” said Verstappen.

“That’s always a nice feeling to have when you’re driving.”

Verstappen and Perez consolidated their positions, leaving Norris fighting for third against the two Ferraris.

A late lock-up cost the McLaren driver his chance of a podium finish.

Sainz said finishing third was “very satisfying”.

“We kind of knew our race pace was better than our qualifying pace — still probably not enough to go for a win,” said the Spaniard.

“Given how the race pace on the Red Bull is, it’s almost impossible to think about a win.”

The championship resumes in a fortnight’s time with the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

It will be the first time the event has been held since 2019 before it was curtailed by the pandemic.

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Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi GP, Leclerc denies Red Bull one-two

ABU DHABI: Two-time world champion Max Verstappen won the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc held off his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez to take second place in the drivers’ title championship.

The 25-year-old dominated from the pole and with a sublime performance took his record-extending 15th win of 2022.

Leclerc pips Perez to P2 in the drivers' championship

Vettel scores points in his 299th and final F1 race #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/yvPjtOnTus

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 20, 2022

With the closing race of the season, Red Bull extended their lead to 759 points way ahead of Ferrari’s 529, who finished second in this year’s championship.

P2 and P4 for Leclerc and Sainz seals second place for @ScuderiaFerrari 👏#AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/MLvw3KgYS8

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 20, 2022

Leclerc, who was in contention for the title earlier this year before Ferrari’s season collapsed under a barrage of mistakes and reliability issues, beat Perez on divergent tactics to finish in second on Sunday.

Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettels ended his glittering career with a point. Although, the four-time champion wanted to achieve more on his final race before a one-stop strategy forced him behind his team-mate Lance Stroll and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium after he engaged in a tense race with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who struggled with his Mercedes for much of the race and retired in the closing laps with a hydraulic issue.

The Briton ended the season for the first time without a win while his team-mate George Russell finished in fifth only after having to serve a five-second penalty for an unsafe release in the pits.

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