Max Verstappen extends at Red Bull until 2026 – but sets 3 hard conditions, to Laurent Mekies shock

The Formula 1 world is again in t and rudder after the official news that Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, extends his contract with Red Bull Racing up to and including the 2026 season. But this extension did not come without conditions: Verstappen, who is known for its ruthless ambition and perfectionism, has set three clear demands on the team. The surprising requirements have led to astonishment and concern for competitor Ferrari – and in particular team boss Laurent Mekies.

The announcement was made through a joint press conference by Red Bull and Verstappen in Milton Keynes. There he confirmed with a smile that he “is not ready yet” with Red Bull, but he also immediately showed that his confidence in the team is not unconditional.
“I will stay until 2026, but Red Bull knows what I expect from them. Only with the right approach do we continue to win,Says Verstappen.

According to insiders and confirmed sources around the team, these are the three requirements that Verstappen has placed on the table:

1. Full technical autonomy for Adrian Newey’s successor
   After the announced departure of design -legend Adrian Newey at the end of 2025, Verstappen wants to get absolute design freedom. MAX wants the technical team to remain protected from commercial or political interference, so that the Focus remains purely on performance.

2. Guarantee on number-1 status within the team
   Verstappen has demanded that in strategic decisions he always gets priority over his teammate, regardless of who that will be in 2026. This is to avoid internal tensions, such as in the past with Daniel Ricciardo or Sergio Pérez. Red Bull would implicitly acknowledge that the team continues to run around Max.

3. Complete transparency about cooperation with Ford
   With the entry of Ford as a motorcycle partner from 2026, Verstappen wants full access to all development data. He would be concerned about possible delays or inconsistencies in motor development and therefore demands a permanent liaison between him and the Ford engineers.

Ferrari team boss Laurent Mekies reacted shocked when he heard the details. “If this is true, it means that Red Bull is willing to give a driver more power than the management itself,” he said during an interview in the Paddock of Spa. “It is worrying for the sport, but at the same time also admirable how Max manages to force his position.”

Red Bull Racing has officially not commented on the content of the conditions, but confirms sources within the team that “the preservation of Verstappen had the highest priority.” Christian Horner would also have been personally involved in the negotiations and all three requirements would eventually have accepted the requirements.

With this renewed contract and its clear conditions, Max Verstappen shows that he is not only in control of the asphalt, but also beyond. The extension until 2026 makes him the face of Red Bull in the new engine regulation era – on his own conditions.