Mekies Reveals Red Bull's Relentless Push for Verstappen Title

When the 2025 Formula 1 season began to unfold, many had written off Max Verstappen's chances of retaining his title. But inside the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes, no one was ready to surrender. Laurent Mekies, who replaced Christian Horner in July 2025, has opened up about the team's extraordinary determination despite a deficit that once exceeded 100 points.

Verstappen faced a daunting gap after the Dutch Grand Prix, trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 104 points and Lando Norris by 70. Yet, with six wins in the final nine races, he clawed back to within just two points of the title, narrowly missing out to Norris. The resurgence was sparked by a new floor introduced at Monza.

The upgrade package reworked the floor body, fences, and edges to unlock a new setup direction. The result was a transformation of the RB21 from an inconsistent challenger into a relentless race-winning machine. Technical director Pierre Wache had predicted the package would open doors to more victories, and he was emphatically proven right.

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More notably, the decision to keep developing the 2025 car came amid the massive shift toward 2026 regulations. Mekies revealed that the team chose to fight rather than fully pivot to the new car. "They had every reason to give up," Mekies told RACER. "New regulations, new engine, new boss. But nobody wanted to do that."

Mekies, now 13 months into the role, admitted the season was a rollercoaster but called it an incredible privilege. "Together with a bit of Max magic, it gave us the comeback," he added. This never-say-die spirit is what kept Red Bull competitive until the final race.

Verstappen's campaign last season proved that hard work and belief can produce the impossible. Though he fell short of the title, his performance demonstrated that Red Bull remains a force to be reckoned with in the new era of F1.