Jun.15 (GMM) Max Verstappen has further played down speculation about his future after his recent meeting with Red Bull’s top leadership in Salzburg triggered fresh rumours linking him with Mercedes.
The quadruple world champion was spotted alongside manager Raymond Vermeulen, Red Bull co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull heir Mark Mateschitz and chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff amid continuing uncertainty about his long-term plans.
After initially refusing to discuss the meeting in Barcelona, Verstappen elaborated after Sunday’s Spanish GP. “It’s no one’s business,” he said.
“It was planned anyway. It’s not like it just popped up suddenly after Monaco.
The story emerged as a result of the ability for members of the public and media to track his plane’s movements. “Of course, you can track my plane,” said the Dutchman. “I have no problem with that.
“They can ask questions, but I only answer the ones I want to answer. If anything happens on my end, I’ll let you know.”
The speculation comes at a difficult time for Red Bull, which Verstappen believes is currently only the fourth-fastest team in Formula 1.
After finishing behind Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren in Barcelona, the 28-year-old admitted the situation is far from ideal.
“It’s clear that we’re still behind Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren – we finished the race behind a car from each of those teams,” he said.
“We need to bring upgrades to the car, because that’s how it is this year – whoever has a good upgrade makes progress.”
Team boss Laurent Mekies agreed that Barcelona exposed Red Bull’s current limitations.
“We were already expecting a reality check in Barcelona,” he said. “This is the first time since China and Japan that we came back to this type of circuit.”
Mekies rejected Verstappen’s suggestion that Red Bull is stranded in “no man’s land”.
“I wouldn’t say we’re in no man’s land,” said the Frenchman. “We’re in the top four in the fight.”
Mekies, however, says help is on the way.
“Our next major upgrade is coming in Austria,” he said of the team’s forthcoming home race.
“It is true that this season the picture has to do with the differences in performance with those who introduce upgrades. Ferrari have taken a big step forward this weekend.”
Red Bull is also hoping to finally eliminate the seven kilograms of excess weight still being carried by the RB22. “I’m going to eat less,” Mekies joked.
Another challenge concerns the controversial ADUO engine development system.
The FIA’s disputed assessment identified Red Bull-Ford as the benchmark power unit manufacturer, restricting the team’s ability to make performance gains while rivals continue to benefit from concessions.
“There is still a hole at both the power source and the engine,” Mekies insisted.
“We now have to fight to change that.”
Verstappen sees the dispute as “all political”.
“It all has to do with other engine manufacturers,” said the quadruple world champion. “It’s not so easy to get everyone on the same side.
“That’s always the case. Everyone is trying to talk to their own advantage.”
As for the unpopular 2026 power unit regulations, Verstappen remains unconvinced.
“You’re getting used to it, of course,” he said. “Of course, you’d rather see something else. Let’s hope it will help next year.”
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