Laurent Mekies on Max Verstappen (3rd): “That was truly exceptional”

Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen secured third on the grid for the Grand Prix debut at the Madring. The Dutchman has only ever been better placed ahead of the World Championship races in Miami, Monaco and Belgium, finishing second on each occasion.

Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies said of the four-time world champion’s strong performance: “A really strong result for the whole team today on such a demanding circuit, especially given the incredibly close margins at the front.”

“As always, Max was in absolutely top form. He was competitive throughout qualifying, was even the fastest in Q2 and right in the thick of the battle for pole position right up to the very last moment.”

“Of course, there’s a bit of disappointment at missing out on the front row by such a narrow margin, but Max has once again delivered an exceptional performance, and it was also very encouraging to see Liam right in the mix, just a few tenths behind and ultimately in P8.”

“This is an extremely demanding circuit with a mix of slow and fast corners; the kerbs are treacherous and the walls are dangerously close, leaving very little room for error. The fact that both drivers can attack with confidence under these conditions is a good sign of the progress made in the car’s fundamental pace and a well-deserved reward for all the hard work by everyone in Milton Keynes.”

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TV Program

Today

Madrid: Das Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

13.09.2026 - 17:30

The 49-year-old Frenchman reflects on the first Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid since 1981: “A different challenge awaits us on Sunday. The gap between the top four teams is extremely narrow, so we hope we can once again be right in the thick of the battle. Strategy will play a key role, particularly depending on how difficult overtaking proves to be, and we must remain flexible in a race that is unpredictable.”