Red Bull boss explains why Max Verstappen is their best sensor

The accomplishment of Laurent Mekies astatine the helm of Red Bull successful the mediate of the 2025 play brought caller vigor and a antithetic position connected the concern successful the Milton Keynes team. After the departure of Christian Horner, the squad went done a delicate period, but successful the 2nd fractional of the twelvemonth it managed to stabilize its signifier and attack a afloat sporting return. The problems from the opening of the play did not vanish overnight, but the results connected the way became visibly better.

One of the reasons for this displacement was the continued improvement of the RB21 car, and for a longer clip than for astir competitors. However, the caller squad brag intelligibly says that exertion was not the lone key. According to him, the antheral down the instrumentality besides played a large role. Four-time satellite champion Max Verstappen erstwhile again showed wherefore helium is considered special.

Speaking to reporters astatine the extremity of the season, Mekies admitted that the Dutchman amazed him adjacent much than helium expected. "As overmuch arsenic we've each spent excessively galore years successful Formula 1 and watched Max execute unthinkable success, I tin archer you that erstwhile you get the accidental to enactment connected his broadside of the paddock, helium inactive blows you distant clip and clip again," said the Frenchman.

More than the driver

According to his explanation, it is not lone astir what the 27-year-old shows portion driving. He particularly emphasized the prime of the feedback helium gives to the team. 

"Obviously, you perceive a batch of what's being said implicit the radio, but you don't perceive everything. The prime of his method feedback and the level of sensitivity helium has successful the car is truly impressive," explained Mekies.

At Red Bull, they adjacent developed an wrong joke. 

"We had a gag wrong the squad wherever we would accidental that helium is the champion sensor we person successful the car. Maybe besides the astir expensive, but that's different question," helium said with a smile, recalling that Verstappen was besides the highest paid operator successful 2025 according to Forbes estimates.

Mekies added that the large operator lives motorsport virtually each day. "He lives motorsport time and night, virtually time and night. Probably much than immoderate of us, helium is successful a consciousness motorsport itself." 

Between races helium works connected the simulator, analyzing the details and looking for a mode to further improve, portion helium often uses his escaped weekends for GT3 races, which the squad inactive looks connected with astonishment.

In the end, the caput of Red Bull points retired that determination was nary retreat during the hard moments of the season. 

"In those moments, helium wholly immerses himself successful the project, helium doesn't ticker it from the sidelines oregon justice it from the outside. His extremity is to find the close keys truthful that we each propulsion successful the aforesaid direction."