Max Verstappen issues statement on Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies after shock Christian Horner sacking
Max Verstappen has spoken publicly about new Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies after Christian Horner's surprise sacking.
After a disappointing campaign for Red Bull, Horner was dismissed as team principal earlier this month.
Executives did not wait long to bring in his replacement, promoting Mekies from the sister team Racing Bulls.
This weekend's Belgian Grand Prix will be the team's first ever F1 race without Horner, marking the start of a new era under Mekies.
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Max Verstappen, who won four drivers' world titles under Horner, has spoken out on his new boss ahead of the race at Spa.
He said: “I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Laurent.”
His Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who worked with Mekies at Racing Bulls, has also commented on the change.
He added: "We are coming into this race in a new era for the team and it will be good to link up again with Laurent.
“We worked really well together at Racing Bulls.
"I know how he likes to work and our full focus is on pushing forward and for me personally to start delivering the performance we need.”
Speaking during a jam packed media session in Spa on Thursday, Verstappen fully addressed the decision to sack Horner and his plans for the future.
"I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked, and management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably. And then everyone else of course has to anyway agree to that and look forward," he said.
"Looking back doesn't make sense. It's not going to make you faster. But at the same time you do appreciate of course those 20 years, and especially from my side the 10-11 years I've been part of of Red Bull."
Is this a new era for Red Bull?
Yes, this is unprecedented territory with Horner no longer at the helm.
The team has already changed over the last couple of years, with legendary engineer Adrian Newey leaving for Aston Martin.
The big challenge now for Mekies and Red Bull's bosses will be persuading the mercurial Verstappen to stay.
He has looked frustrated at times this season, with his car unable to match the pace of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Mercedes, and in particular Toto Wolff, admire the Dutchman and even tried to sign him last year.
Although he committed to Red Bull, reports suggest there is an exit clause in his contract if he is outside the top three of the drivers standings at the summer break, which remains a possibility.
However, recent reports claim he is most likely to stay at Red Bull.
What next for Laurent Mekies?
The immediate priority for Mekies will be turning around a team that has struggled this season.
Although Verstappen currently sits third in the driver standings, both Liam Lawson and Tsunoda have struggled in the second seat.
It has left the team sat in a disappointing fourth in the Constructors' championship.
But the circuit at Spa should suit Red Bull's car, offering Mekies a potential dream start to life as team principal.
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Christian Horner
James Taylor