Title returns as Red Bull reorganizes under Mekies

      "The Spa-Francorchamps circuit should be more compatible with our car."

      Max Verstappen appears to have re-entered the race for the World Championship – just weeks after Red Bull insiders deemed his title aspirations futile. With McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris holding 69 and 61 points advantage over Verstappen respectively, Helmut Marko had previously expressed a sense of resignation. However, in a shift of tone ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, the veteran advisor spoke to Speed Week.

      "We still have 12 Grands Prix and four sprints remaining, totaling 300 World Championship points from the GPs and 32 from the sprint races," he noted. "In light of this, and with additional improvements for Belgium expected to bring us closer to McLaren, we definitely don’t consider the championship battle to be finished."

      Ralf Schumacher, commenting on Sky Deutschland’s Backstage Boxengasse, believes that the new leadership at Red Bull under Laurent Mekies has revitalized the team atmosphere – and possibly influenced Verstappen’s future.

      "Mekies is an exceptional individual. Verstappen and he have established a strong rapport. They have mutual trust," Schumacher stated. "Mekies will unify the team again, and everyone will cooperate and give their best effort."

      The former F1 driver indicated that Christian Horner’s exit may have alleviated the internal conflicts that had prompted Verstappen to contemplate a move to Mercedes. "The underperforming car, the internal issues, and the overall negative atmosphere within the team were factors that led Verstappen to think about a change," he said. "However, with Mekies in place, things are very open again.

      "I genuinely believe – and last week it seemed quite different – that Verstappen will remain with Red Bull."

      Verstappen had met with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff during a recent holiday in Sardinia, but Wolff has subsequently indicated a preference to continue with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026.

      Regarding the upcoming races in Spa and Hungary, Marko mentioned that new upgrades, including a new front wing, are on the way. At Silverstone, Verstappen effectively used a slim rear wing in qualifying, securing pole position in dry conditions – although the setup left him exposed when rain arrived on race day. Marko hinted that a similar strategy might be employed for Spa, where low-drag efficiency and unpredictable weather frequently intersect. De Telegraaf reports that a key new part for this weekend is a front wing.

      "The Spa-Francorchamps circuit should be more suited to our car, especially considering the typically unpredictable weather," Marko stated. "Hungary might be a bit more challenging."

      As for Verstappen, he wrapped up his holiday in Sardinia with a visit to Milton Keynes. "I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the simulator with the team," he remarked. "I’m eager to collaborate closely with Laurent. Spa is a classic and always my favorite track on the calendar; it's a very traditional circuit where you have to get everything right."