Source:NURPHOTO/Paddocker
[Saba Sports News] Red Bull’s new team principal, Laurent Mekies, recently praised Max Verstappen, stating that the Dutch driver is nearly synonymous with motorsport itself. Although Verstappen narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive championship in the 2025 season, he was still voted the best driver in the current field by the team principals in an anonymous poll.
During last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, Mekies expressed that it was only after working closely with Verstappen that he fully appreciated his uniqueness. As team principal, he was particularly impressed by Verstappen’s ability to perceive the car’s condition and his level of technical feedback, describing him as the most precise sensor within the car, almost becoming one with it.
Mekies believes that Verstappen can not only clearly identify issues but also help the team find the right direction, driving everyone towards a common goal. What impressed him even more was Verstappen’s level of commitment to racing. Whether it’s during race weekends, the off-season, or rare free weekends, Verstappen’s life revolves almost entirely around racing. He either engages in simulator competitions to find areas for improvement or participates in real events to maintain his form. This level of focus is extremely rare in the F1 paddock.
In my view, Verstappen’s ability to perform consistently even when the car conditions are not optimal and tire management is challenging, along with his calmness and execution, exemplifies the qualities that top drivers possess.