Max Verstappen has backed Laurent Mekies’ contract extension with Crimson Bull, however has cautioned those that count on the Dutchman to proceed his profitable kind at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
It was introduced earlier this month that Mekies will stay as Crimson Bull‘s CEO and Staff Principal till 2031, having joined from Racing Bulls in 2025.
After a gradual begin beneath the new-for-2026 laws, which included constructing their very own engines alongside Ford, Crimson Bull have proven indicators of progress beneath Mekies’ management, prompting the brand new deal.
“It has been nice information I believe for everybody,” stated Verstappen throughout Thursday’s media day in Austin on Mekies’ contract extension.
“He absolutely deserves it as properly, he is a really arduous employee and I believe at instances this 12 months after all it has not been simple for him as properly, however he is chief and I believe additionally the environment within the group is nice, so it is solely proper to increase the contract.”
Verstappen has claimed dominant victories within the earlier two Grands Prix as Crimson Bull have turn into the in-form group through the 2026 marketing campaign.
Regardless of the profitable mixture, Verstappen is cautious whether or not he’ll have the ability to safe a hat-trick of victories this weekend at COTA, with the venue completely different to these in Malaysia and Singapore.
“We had two actually good weekends, which after all we’re very pleased with however that’s no assure that the approaching races are going to be like that as properly,” stated Verstappen.
“We had two highly regarded and humid races and it appeared like additionally our engine was performing properly in these sorts of circumstances and now we go after all to a really dry race.
“There are loads of elements which might be a bit completely different however we’ll see. We’ll simply take it step-by-step, we do not dream an excessive amount of, we simply keep within the present [frame of mind] and we additionally know that we need to enhance quite a bit on the automotive that we will not repair or change for this 12 months, however hopefully for subsequent 12 months.”
