P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen allies hold Belgian GP talks after Christian Horner exit
Max Verstappen’s allies, including his manager Raymond Vermeulen and his father Jos Verstappen, were seen meeting with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko at the Belgian Grand Prix, signaling a new era for the F1 team.
Red Bull faces a significant change this weekend, with a new team principal taking over for the first time since 2005, following Christian Horner’s recent dismissal after 20 years in the role.
The team’s performance decline in the past 18 months, currently placing fourth in the constructors’ championship, has raised speculations about Verstappen’s future with the team, with talks of a potential driver transfer with Mercedes confirmed by Toto Wolff.
The meeting at Spa involving Verstappen’s inner circle seemed positive, with Jos Verstappen notably in high spirits, potentially indicating a favorable outcome for Max’s future at Red Bull under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies.
Mekies will likely aim to secure Verstappen’s continued commitment to the team and provide a competitive car as the sport transitions to new regulations next year, considering Max’s crucial role in scoring points for Red Bull in the challenging RB21.
The arrival of Mekies as the new team principal should alleviate any tensions stemming from the previous public feud between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner, allowing Verstappen to focus on his performance and potential future successes in Formula 1.
