How does Red Bull benefit from Verstappen's sportscar racing?

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies offered a comprehensive reflection on both the team’s driver line up and Max Verstappen’s racing activities outside Formula One, following the Dutchman’s participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring just days before the Canadian Grand Prix.

Mekies’ comments painted a picture of confidence at Red Bull, while also highlighting the team’s support for Verstappen’s passion for motorsport in all its forms.

He began by reaffirming Red Bull’s satisfaction with its current driver pairing, making clear that the team is not entertaining any discussions about changes.

“We have a very, very strong driver line-up, and the driver choice is not a question that we are asking ourselves right now," noted the Frenchman.

Mekies emphasised Verstappen’s importance during a challenging start to the season, saying: “We have Max, nobody needs to present Max. He is pulling us up through a fairly complicated start of the season.”

He then praised Isack Hadjar for his maturity and adaptability in his first full Formula One campaign. “Isack is doing a very, very good job. He has been dealing extremely well with a complicated car in the first three races, being very close to Max.”

Although Hadjar experienced a tougher weekend in Miami, Mekies noted that he immediately rediscovered his rhythm in Montreal. “He had a bit of a more difficult weekend in Miami, but we could see [in Montreal] straight away he’s been in a good rhythm.”

His conclusion was unequivocal: “As far as we are concerned, we are super happy with the two guys behind the wheels.”

The conversation then turned to speculation that Verstappen might follow his long time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren. Mekies dismissed the idea with confidence and a touch of humour.

“Look, no, I’m not concerned with Max following GP. We always have this joke. We are not going to ask Max every week if he’s going to stay. Max is telling us he’s happy at Red Bull. He is involved in every strategic decision we are making. He is at the heart of the project.”

Mekies added that both sides share the same objective: “He is pushing with us and we both want the same thing: getting back to a more competitive package. And he is central to that.”

Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24h outing — a demanding and high risk event on the legendary Nordschleife — naturally raised questions about how Red Bull viewed his participation. Mekies revealed that they had agreed on a small precaution to keep nerves under control.

“We had a deal whereby when he was taking a bit too much risk, he’d hide [from] me the onboard, just for all of us to be a bit more relaxed.”

Despite the inherent danger, Mekies was full of admiration for Verstappen’s performance. “It’s been spectacular. He has missed the win by not much there, but certainly his speed was incredible. And he came back with a big smile, full of motivation for this Grand Prix, and that’s what matters.”

Asked how nervous he becomes watching his star driver tackle the Nordschleife, Mekies acknowledged the tension but emphasised the team’s support for Verstappen’s broader passion for racing. “We genuinely support Max in what he is trying to do there.”

He described Verstappen’s enthusiasm as something that lifts the entire organisation. “When I say he’s coming back with a big smile, he’s coming back with a big smile. He’s also having the big smile the week before because he knows he’s going to do this different kind of racing.”

Mekies sees Verstappen’s love for motorsport as a positive force. “It’s great that he’s so in love with the sport, 360 degrees, every aspect of the sport.

“Of course, we are a little bit relieved when the race is over and we know he’s going to jump on the plane and join us back. But overall, it’s very positive for the sport, for motorsport as a whole, for Max and for the team.”