Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda Open up About First Race With New Red Bull Boss
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda have opened up about the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, their first race with new Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies.
Mekies, who led Red Bull's junior F1 team Racing Bulls, replaced Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix. Mekies is Red Bull's first team boss after Horner since the team's inception in 2005.
While the reason for Horner's sudden ousting remains unknown, Mekies' promotion to Red Bull arrives at a time when the team has been experiencing ongoing struggles with its RB21 car. For the first time in the current ground effect era, beginning in 2022, Verstappen isn't leading the Drivers' Championship.
Tsunoda was promoted from Racing Bulls after the Chinese Grand Prix, swapping places with Liam Lawson, who was demoted to the team. The Japanese driver has been struggling to adapt to the RB21, a challenge similar to the one that his predecessors, Lawson and Sergio Perez both experienced.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk on the fan forums stage prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand...
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk on the fan forums stage prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. MoreAdditionally, there are rumors of Verstappen's ongoing talks with Mercedes for a potential switch in 2026, which could concern Mekies. Speaking to F1.com about the upcoming race at Spa with Mekies, Verstappen said:
"I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team. I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent.
"Spa is a classic and always my favourite track on the calendar, a very old school circuit where you have to do everything right to get a good lap. I enjoy the high-speed corners such as Eau Rouge, the layout which is different to other circuits and elevation changes that make the track more of a challenge to drive."
Tsunoda's experience working with Mekies at Racing Bulls will help him bond again. He added:
"We are coming into this race in a new era for the team and it will be good to link up again with Laurent. We worked really well together at... Racing Bulls. I know how he likes to work and our full focus is on pushing forward and for me personally to start delivering the performance we need.
"Spa is a fun circuit and one that could suit us well. The Sprint always makes things tricky but the work and preparation we have done in this off time should set us up nicely.
"I have spent the time off racing mixed between training very hard and using the break to mentally reset. I wanted to be the best prepared I could be coming into Spa and in better condition, mentally and physically. I am feeling strong and sharp and looking forward to these next two races before summer break."
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