VERSTAPPEN BACKS MEKIES' RED BULL CONTRACT EXTENSION

Verstappen endorsed Laurent Mekies' contract extension through 2031, calling Red Bull's CEO and Team Principal "a very hard worker" and "a good leader" ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix. Mekies joined from Racing Bulls in 2025 and weathered a rough start under the new-for-2026 regulations as Red Bull built their own power unit with Ford. The patience paid off — Verstappen has won the last two rounds in Malaysia and Singapore, vaulting Red Bull into form.

But the Dutchman isn't counting on a hat-trick at COTA. Those two wins came in sweltering, humid conditions where Red Bull's engine thrived. Austin is dry, different, and Verstappen knows it. "We had two really good weekends," he said Thursday, "but that is no guarantee that the coming races are going to be like that as well." Red Bull's recent surge has been engine-led and climate-specific. Whether that translates to the Texas heat is this weekend's open question.