Red Bull Boss Hails Verstappen as 'Motorsport' for His Unrivaled Dedication

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has lavished praise on Max Verstappen, declaring the four-time champion 'is motorsport' due to his unparalleled dedication and technical acumen. Despite narrowly losing the 2025 title, Verstappen's commitment, which includes GT3 and sim racing to constantly improve, has deeply impressed his new team boss.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's value to Red Bull extends far beyond his on-track results. Mekies' comments highlight that Verstappen functions as an integral part of the team's development and technical structure, a crucial asset as Red Bull aims to reclaim the championship. This unwavering focus sets a benchmark for the entire organization and solidifies his position as the team's undisputed leader.

The details:

• Technical Prowess: Mekies described Verstappen as arguably the team's 'best sensor' and 'most expensive' part of the car due to his exceptional feel and detailed technical feedback.
• 24/7 Immersion: The Frenchman emphasized that Verstappen lives 'day and night with motorsport,' using his free time for activities like sim racing and GT3 events not as escapes, but as deliberate tools to learn and improve his driving for F1.
• A New Perspective: Mekies, who took over as team boss in July, noted that working closely with Verstappen has revealed a level of dedication he hasn't seen from other drivers in his career.
• Impressiveness in Defeat: Former advisor Helmut Marko added that he considered 2025 Verstappen's most impressive season, even more so than his dominant 2023 campaign, because of his ability to deliver results without a consistently winning car.

Looking Ahead:

Verstappen's single-minded approach provides Red Bull with a powerful foundation as they regroup and develop their 2026 challenger. His strong working relationship with new team boss Mekies will be critical for translating his feedback into on-track performance. Despite the title loss, these affirmations from team leadership reinforce that Verstappen remains the benchmark driver in Formula 1.