Red Bull boss addresses claims Max Verstappen could lose interest in F1

Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has shut down suggestions that Max Verstappen could lose interest in F1 following the introduction of the 2026 engine regulations.

The four-time world champion has been one of the most outspoken critics about the new regulations cycles since the season began.

During last week's pre-seaosn testing in Bahrain Max slammed the new cars as "not fun" to drive and dubbed them "anti-racing".
 

During a press conference on Wednesday in Bahrain Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies was asked if Max Verstappen could lose interest in Formula 1 given he had revealed that he preferred not to drive the 2026 simulator last year.

"Short answer is no, zero concern about that. And yes, I do recall our conversations last year when he was switching from a car model to another car model, '25 to '26 in the sim. And, and, and yes, the difference was so big that at some stage I think rightly so, he decided to focus on the '25 approach. But, you know, the reality is that the challenge of these regulations are massive." Mekies said.
 

"They are massive for the teams, massive for the power unit manufacturers, massive for the drivers as well. So it is different for all of us. But that's also what we love to try to break through these challenges, to try to to find solutions that we felt were not on the table. And that's what we will do with Max's help.

"And I'm quite confident that as it will turn out, he will probably become— he will most likely become the best at mastering those regs and technicalities and tricks as much as he was in the previous set of regulations."

Despite Mekies' assertions, Max Verstappen has doubled down this week on his criticism of the 2026 cars.

Speaking during a drivers' press conference in Bahrain the Red Bull driver highlighted his concerns about F1 moving to more battery powered instead of regular combustion engines.

He said: "I don't want us to be close to Formula E. I want us to actually stay away from that and be Formula 1. So don't increase the battery, actually get rid of that and focus on a nice engine and have Formula E as Formula E, because that's what they are about.

"And I'm sure that with the new car, from what I've seen and talked to some of my friends in there, that's going to be also a really cool car, but let them be Formula E and we should stay Formula 1 and let's try not to mix that."

Max's brutal 2026 F1 cars criticism

Verstappen dominated headlines during the first week of pre-season testing in Bahrain after he excoriated the 2026 F1 cars.

"Not a lot of fun, to be honest. I would say the right word is management.”

Verstappen added: "As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.

"But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that. And that's also not my problem, because I'm all for that. Equal chances, I don't mind that.

"But as a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out. And at the moment, you cannot drive like that. There's a lot going on.

"A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things. For me, that's just not Formula 1.

"Maybe it's better to drive Formula E, right? Because that's all about energy efficiency and management. That's what they stand for.

"Driving-wise, it's not so fun. But at the same time, I also know what is at stake with the team, with our own engine. And seeing the excitement of the people."

Day 1 of the second week of testing concluded on Wednesday afternoon with Mercedes' George Russell setting the fastest time of the day.

Two more days of pre-season testing will take place on Thursday and Friday before the teams head to Australia for the season opener in Albert Park.