Mekies pivots Red Bull strategy as Hadjar nears 2027 contract extension
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies is shifting the organization away from its historical one-driver focus centered on Max Verstappen. The team is moving toward a more balanced approach regarding its second car, with Isack Hadjar expected to sign a contract extension for 2027. Mekies has publicly signaled support for Hadjar, noting the benefit of having two drivers performing closer to each other. While Hadjar’s future appears increasingly secure, the status of Liam Lawson remains uncertain as Red Bull evaluates options for future seats, including F2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov. The team faces a personnel decision for the upcoming Monza race, as staff have not yet cleared Hadjar for fitness. Lawson continues to participate in preparations for the event in the event he is required to substitute.
- •Laurent Mekies is moving Red Bull away from a driver-focused model centered on Max Verstappen.
- •Isack Hadjar is expected to sign an extension for 2027 following a consistent run of top-six finishes.
- •The team has not confirmed Hadjar's status for the Monza race pending medical fitness checks.
- •Liam Lawson remains involved in team preparations despite uncertainty regarding his long-term future at Racing Bulls.
- •Nikola Tsolov has emerged as a potential option for a future Red Bull F1 promotion.
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — Mekies shifts Red Bull away from 'Verstappen-first' approach as Hadjar 2027 deal expected soon
"Laurent Mekies has moved Red Bull away from its traditional one-driver approach centred around Max Verstappen, according to reports with suggestions that Isack Hadjar is poised to sign a contract extension for 2027. The report claims Mekies has softened Red Bull's traditional approach to the second car, with the team said to have moved away from the traditional approach which favourited one driver.
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