Mekies: Racing Bulls Alone Will Decide 2027 Line-Up, Not Verstappen

Laurent Mekies has made clear that Racing Bulls will decide its own 2027 Formula 1 driver line-up, with Max Verstappen set to have no influence despite his flashpoint with Liam Lawson in Mexico. Both drivers received one-place grid penalties after contact in FP2, and Verstappen publicly questioned Lawson's judgement while the New Zealander is fighting for his future.

Why it matters:

The incident exposed the tension between Red Bull's senior team and its sister outfit, but Mekies is drawing a firm line between on-track frustration and contractual authority. With Lawson's Racing Bulls deal expiring at the end of 2026, the 2027 seat is a live issue.

The details:

• Mekies stressed that Racing Bulls' line-up is 'down to them and only down to them' when asked whether Verstappen could influence the decision.
• Verstappen called Lawson's move 'not very smart behaviour' and added that it was especially ill-advised 'when you're fighting for your seat.'
• Mekies separated the clash from driver selection: unnecessary track moments frustrate teams and drivers, but they do not drive Red Bull's calls on Racing Bulls.
• He also dismissed the idea that Verstappen would be swayed by one episode, saying the four-time champion 'knows motorsport far too much' for that.

What's next:

Mekies remains focused on Red Bull's immediate performance, admitting the team has been 'on the back foot' with other top teams extracting more. After a difficult morning left them around three and a half tenths adrift, Red Bull hopes its latest car tweaks can close the gap and put it back in the mix. The bigger question—who races for Racing Bulls in 2027—will stay firmly in the sister team's hands.