Red Bull manager addresses claims Max Verstappen may lose interest in F1

Pink Bull boss Laurent Mequise has denied ideas that Max Verstappen may lose curiosity in F1 because of the introduction of 2026 engine laws.

The four-time world champion has been probably the most outspoken critics of the brand new regulation cycle because the season started.

Throughout a pre-race in Bahrain final week, Max criticized driving the brand new automobile as “not enjoyable” and known as it “anti-racing”.

At a press convention in Bahrain on Wednesday, Pink Bull workforce boss Laurent Mequise was requested if Verstappen may lose curiosity in F1, on condition that he revealed final 12 months that he didn’t need to drive the 2026 simulator.

“The brief reply is not any. I am not apprehensive about that in any respect. And positively, I bear in mind a dialog final 12 months when he switched from one automobile mannequin to a different from 25 to 26 years within the simulation. And, and the distinction was so large that at one stage he determined to deal with a 25-year strategy. However the actuality is that these regulatory challenges are big,” Mekies mentioned.

“They’re large issues for the workforce, they’re large issues for the ability unit producers, they usually’re large issues for the drivers as nicely. So it is totally different for all of us. But it surely’s additionally what we love about making an attempt to interrupt by means of these challenges, looking for options that we really feel aren’t on the desk. And that is what we’ll do with Max’s assist.”

“And I am very assured that on the finish of the day, he in all probability might be. Perhaps he’ll be the perfect at mastering these laws, methods and tips, identical to he was within the earlier collection of laws.”

Regardless of Mekies’ claims, Verstappen doubled down on his criticism of the 2026 automobile this week.

At a driver press convention in Bahrain, the Pink Bull driver highlighted his considerations about F1 transferring to battery energy reasonably than the standard inside combustion engine.

“We do not need it to get nearer to System E. We really need it to maneuver away from that and grow to be System 1. So do not add extra batteries, really eliminate it, deal with nice engines and do System E as System E, as a result of that is what they’re about.”

“And from what I’ve seen and talked to my mates there, I am certain the brand new automobile might be a extremely cool automobile too, however they’re nonetheless System E and we’re nonetheless System 1, so let’s not combine that up.”

Max’s brutal criticism of the 2026 F1 automobile

Verstappen dominated the headlines throughout the first week of pre-season testing in Bahrain along with his scathing criticism of the 2026 F1 automobile.

“To be trustworthy, I do not actually get pleasure from it. I believe administration is the fitting phrase.”

Verstappen added: “It does not really feel very F1-like as a driver. It is a bit like System E on steroids.”

“However the guidelines are the identical for everybody, so you must take care of it. And it is not my downside both, as a result of I am all for it. Equal alternative, I do not care about that.”

“However as a pure driver, I get pleasure from driving flat out, and for the time being I can not drive like that. There’s loads happening.

“Lots of what you do as a driver has a huge effect in your power by way of inputs. For me, that is not F1.

“Perhaps it is higher to drive System E? As a result of it is all about power effectivity and administration, as a result of that is what they stand for.

“Driving-wise, it is not that a lot enjoyable. However on the identical time, we additionally know what’s at stake for the workforce, with our engine. And we see the joy in folks.”

The primary day of the second week of testing concluded on Wednesday afternoon, with Mercedes’ George Russell setting the quickest time of the day.

The workforce may have two additional days of pre-season testing on Thursday and Friday earlier than heading to Australia for the season opener at Albert Park.