Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has credited Max Verstappen’s technical feedback as a driving force behind the team’s resurgence in the 2026 Formula 1 season, saying the four-time World Champion possesses a sensitivity to car performance that is “probably without any equivalent.”
Speaking after the Singapore Grand Prix, where Verstappen converted pole position into victories in both the Sprint and the main race, Mekies described the Dutchman’s ability to diagnose performance limitations as indispensable to the team’s development programme.
“His input is massive,” Mekies said. “His technical sensitivity is outstanding, probably without any equivalent and therefore yes, he has that capability to pinpoint what is limiting performance. It’s a massive help for the team.”
The Singapore result extended Verstappen’s run to back-to-back race wins, following his victory in Malaysia in Round 16. Red Bull have won two of their last three races, a sharp contrast to the deficit they faced at the start of the 2026 season. The team has closed to within seven points of McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, currently occupying third place.
Mekies attributed the turnaround to a combination of targeted upgrades and Verstappen’s precise technical direction. He noted, however, that the team’s update programme for 2026 is now complete, warning that the competitive order could shift quickly if rival teams introduce further developments.
“There will be no other substantial upgrade to the car,” Mekies confirmed. “This pecking order could well very rapidly change if some or many of our competitors bring upgrades.”
Despite the recent momentum, Mekies was measured in his assessment, pointing to the volatile nature of the 2026 season as a reason for caution. He noted that both McLaren and Mercedes had experienced dominant periods followed by relative struggles, and said Red Bull would approach each remaining race with the same direct internal honesty that has characterised their recovery.
“Even on a weekend where you take two poles and two wins, we are still very honest with each other about the fact that there were still a number of things we would like to see done better,” he said.
With the constructors’ fight tightening, Mekies confirmed that Red Bull’s primary focus has already shifted toward 2027, with the team using the remaining races of the current season as a learning platform for next year’s campaign.