Red Bull Dismisses Max Verstappen McLaren Rumours

Laurent Mekies has dismissed speculation linking Max Verstappen with a move to McLaren, insisting the Dutchman remains committed to Red Bull Racing.

The rumours emerged after reports suggested Verstappen could be involved in a potential driver swap with Oscar Piastri as early as next season. The speculation has intensified amid Red Bull's inconsistent competitiveness throughout the 2026 campaign.

Mekies acknowledged that Verstappen expects a car capable of fighting at the front, but stressed that this should not be interpreted as an indication that the four-time world champion is preparing to leave the team.

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"Max has made clear to us that he wants to continue with the team. It's equally clear that he needs a fast car for him to be happy with the team. The topic for us is to get the car back to where we want it to be," said Mekies.

According to Mekies, Verstappen remains heavily involved in Red Bull's development programme. During Friday's running in Austria, he completed extensive evaluation work to help the team identify the most effective development direction for the RB22.

Red Bull has introduced a major upgrade package for its home race at the Red Bull Ring in an effort to improve competitiveness. Mekies believes that once the team returns to the level of performance it expects, the discussion surrounding Verstappen's future will naturally fade away.