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Verstappen Sheds Light on Mekies' Approach to Adversity
Max Verstappen recently offered insight into how directly Franz Mekies reacts when one of his cars suffers an early retirement.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-12T10:17:23.000Z - 1 min read
Max Verstappen recently shared an interesting observation regarding team principal Franz Mekies, the man now at the helm of the Visa Cash App RB team. According to the three-time world champion, Mekies' reaction to a driver retirement is striking.
What the Red Bull driver emphasized most was the directness of Mekies' actions in such a crucial situation. He described it as an approach set in motion 'immediately' following a DNF, pointing to a proactive and decisive posture under pressure.
This trait in Mekies, as observed by Verstappen, speaks volumes about his leadership style in the hectic world of Formula 1. Directness and a clear response are essential when setbacks strike and swift analysis and adjustments are required.
Such candour from a top driver like Verstappen offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes. It provides insight not only into the personality of a team boss, but also into team dynamics during the most frustrating moments of a race weekend.