Red Bull Boss Insists Verstappen Has No Say in Racing Bulls' 2027 Seat
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- Laurent Mekies menegaskan Racing Bulls otonom menentukan susunan pembalap 2027 tanpa intervensi Max Verstappen.
- Insiden tabrakan di sesi latihan Meksiko memicu ketegangan antara Verstappen dan Liam Lawson yang berujung penalti grid.
- Keputusan ini menegaskan struktur pengambilan keputusan Red Bull Group yang memisahkan urusan teknis dan kebijakan pembalap.
Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies has insisted that Racing Bulls will decide its own Formula 1 driver line-up for the 2027 season, and that Max Verstappen will have no influence whatsoever on that decision. The statement came after a contact incident between Verstappen and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson in the second practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix last Friday.
The incident resulted in a one-place grid penalty for both drivers. Verstappen, a four-time world champion, sharply criticized Lawson's maneuver. "It wasn't luck, it was a less-than-smart move. If I were him, I would act more wisely, especially while fighting for a seat," he told the media after the session.
Lawson's contract with Red Bull's sister team expires at the end of 2026. However, Mekies stressed that decisions regarding Racing Bulls drivers rest entirely with that team. "Racing Bulls is their business, and only they have the right to decide," Mekies told Sky Sports F1.
Mekies also separated on-track incidents from strategic decisions about drivers. According to him, what happens on track does trigger frustration, but it must not affect long-term policy. "Max knows too much about motorsport to be swayed by a single episode," he added.
Mekies' statement reinforces the organizational structure of the Red Bull Group, in which Racing Bulls operates as an independent team with its own management. Nevertheless, the dynamics between the senior driver and the satellite team often draw scrutiny, especially when a driver of Verstappen's caliber is involved.
On the other hand, Red Bull Racing's performance in the Mexican practice sessions was still not optimal. Mekies acknowledged that his team trails the top three teams. "We are still about three and a half tenths behind. If we can close that gap, we will be competitive again," he said.
The incident between Verstappen and Lawson also highlights the pressure young drivers face in competing for an F1 seat. Lawson, who only joined Racing Bulls in 2025, must prove his ability in the remainder of this season if he wants to extend his contract. Meanwhile, Verstappen remains focused on the hunt for the 2025 world championship title.
The decision on Racing Bulls' 2027 line-up will likely only be announced at the end of the 2026 season. However, Mekies' statement at least makes clear that Verstappen will not interfere in the satellite team's affairs. Will Racing Bulls keep Lawson, or look for another driver? Time will tell.
