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Verstappen Wants to Stay at Red Bull, Says Mekies Amid McLaren Chatter

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands prepares at pit during the second free practice ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands prepares at pit during the second free practice ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)
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Verstappen Wants to Stay at Red Bull, Says Mekies Amid McLaren Chatter

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands prepares at pit during the second free practice ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands prepares at pit during the second free practice ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)

Max Verstappen wants to ‌stay at Red Bull but needs a fast car, team boss Laurent Mekies said on Friday amid fresh speculation about possible McLaren interest. At the start of the season the talk was all about whether the four-times world champion would remain in the sport, so unhappy was he sounding about the regulations in Formula One's new engine era.

Once-dominant Red Bull are fourth in the standings, triggering speculation that Verstappen could be looking to make a move elsewhere. Champions McLaren are third.

Mercedes are the in-form team but may not have an opening, with ‌19-year-old Kimi ‌Antonelli a superstar after five wins in the ‌first ⁠six races while ⁠teammate George Russell is adamant his seat is also secure for 2027.

The paddock chatter has turned to McLaren, who already have an agreement with the Dutchman's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, with the Daily Mail reporting "secret" preliminary talks for Verstappen to trade places with Australian Oscar Piastri.

McLaren have said publicly they are happy with both Piastri and world ⁠champion Lando Norris.

Speaking after first practice for this weekend's ‌Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull's home ‌race, Mekies made clear he expected Verstappen -- who has had only one ‌podium finish in seven rounds this season -- to stay.

"Max has made ‌clear to us that he wants to continue with the team. It's equally clear that he needs a fast car for him to be happy with the team," he said.

"We are not asking Max every week. He's ‌there. He's pushing with us. He's helping us to find the right development space for the car... ⁠so it's ⁠not the topic for us. The topic for us is get the car back to where we want it to be."

Mekies would not be drawn on other reports that chief engineer Paul Monaghan was set to leave the team.

"I don't think it would be right for me to comment on every single rumor that comes out," he said. "If I look at the names that have been circulating in the last few months, most of them are still in the garage.

"Some had never wanted to leave, some have changed their mind, some are staying with us... Paul is actually here today. He has been working very hard to get our cars out this morning."

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Makkah Deputy Governor Attends Gulf Cup Opening Ceremony in Jeddah

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, heads and representatives of sports federations from the Arab Gulf states, and several officials - SPA
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, heads and representatives of sports federations from the Arab Gulf states, and several officials - SPA
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Makkah Deputy Governor Attends Gulf Cup Opening Ceremony in Jeddah

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, heads and representatives of sports federations from the Arab Gulf states, and several officials - SPA
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, heads and representatives of sports federations from the Arab Gulf states, and several officials - SPA

Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and on his behalf, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz attended the opening ceremony of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, heads and representatives of sports federations from the Arab Gulf states, and several officials, SPA reported.

Prince Abdulaziz, who is also President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his generous patronage of the championship.

In a press statement, he said: "The patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of the championship reflects the special place this Gulf gathering holds for the leadership of this country, as well as the championship's rich sporting legacy, which over the decades has contributed to bringing brothers together and strengthening ties among the peoples of the region."

"Today, we are delighted to see the launch of the 27th edition of the championship in the city of Jeddah, in a manner befitting the status of this prestigious cup and its enduring value in Gulf sports. We once again welcome our brothers to their second home, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and wish all the participating national teams success," the sport minister said.

The championship is being held from September 23 to October 6, 2026, with eight national teams competing in 15 matches. Group A comprises Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait, while Group B comprises Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Yemen.

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Berlin Confirms Withdrawal from Race to Host Summer Olympics

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race be part of Germany's bid to host the summer Olympics and Paralympics (Reuters)
Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race be part of Germany's bid to host the summer Olympics and Paralympics (Reuters)
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Berlin Confirms Withdrawal from Race to Host Summer Olympics

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race be part of Germany's bid to host the summer Olympics and Paralympics (Reuters)
Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race be part of Germany's bid to host the summer Olympics and Paralympics (Reuters)

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race be part of Germany's bid to host the summer Olympics and Paralympics, leaving only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region as potential hosts.

The Berlin senate confirmed the withdrawal at a press conference in the German capital on Thursday, a day after reports emerged the city would no longer take part.

"Today is a sad day for Berlin, because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a tremendous opportunity -- for Berlin, for East Germany, and for future generations," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner told reporters.

On Saturday, the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) will make a call on a preferred region as part of a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host one of the 2036, 2040 and 2044 Summer Games.

Berlin was one of the three remaining regions in the race after Hamburg's withdrawal, however support to host the games in the German capital flatlined after elections last Sunday.

Elif Eralp, the lead candidate for the far-left Die Linke which topped the polls, said Monday she did not support a bid for Berlin to host the Games.

"Naturally, political stability was a key concern for the leading sports associations," AFP quoted Wegner as saying.

"When Ms. Eralp stated that the bid was effectively off the table... the leading sports associations made it clear: we cannot give you our approval under these circumstances.

"I deeply regret this."

Kaweh Niroomand, the head of the Berlin bid, said: "We simply could not offer the political stability required."

On Tuesday, a DOSB evaluation committee had ranked the Munich and Rhine/Ruhr bids highly, with the Berlin bid coming in third place.

Hamburg withdrew in May after failing to win support at a public referendum.

The summer Olympics have been held on German soil twice. Berlin hosted the Games in 1936 with Germany then under Nazi leadership, while Munich played host to the 1972 Games, then as part of West Germany.

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Antonelli Aims to Stay on Target for F1 Title in Baku

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
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Antonelli Aims to Stay on Target for F1 Title in Baku

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Kimi Antonelli insists the Formula 1 title race is “not over” as he takes a vast 81-point lead into this week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

It looks as good as over, but Baku has sprung surprises before.

A year ago, that was where Oscar Piastri's title shot began to fall apart. The Australian was leading the standings when he almost stalled on the grid, dropped to last and crashed, all in the space of about a minute on the opening lap.

That kicked off a run of six races without a podium finish for Piastri, who had to watch the title race become a fight between eventual champion Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

Antonelli is sounding cautious as he aims to become F1's youngest-ever champion.

“Until you cross that finish line, it’s not over. It’s like tennis, one point at a time, here one race at a time," he said. “The sooner it’s over, the better it is. Still a long way and it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be intense but I’m ready to give my best and to keep having fun.”

There are key differences this year. For one thing, Antonelli’s lead is more than double the biggest advantage Piastri had last year. He’s coming off back-to-back wins, not the team orders controversy which was dogging Piastri and Norris a year ago.

As for Piastri, he says it's “love-hate in some ways” as he returns to a venue where he won in 2024 and endured a nightmare 2025.

“I think probably my best race ever has been at this track and probably my worst race ever has been at this track, so always eventful,” Piastri said.

Antonelli's title rivals need to bounce back The three British drivers behind Antonelli are all trying to recover from disappointing races at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Antonelli's teammate George Russell all but ruled himself out of the title race after an uncompetitive run to fifth in Madrid, while Lando Norris was left ruing a badly-timed virtual safety car which cost him the win. Lewis Hamilton retired, making it five races off the podium for the Ferrari driver.

“I’m going to keep fighting every single race until it’s mathematically impossible, but it doesn’t change how I go about my job," Russell said Wednesday. "There’s obviously a huge deficit, but it’s not even really a consideration right now.”

Red Bull's double bet on Isack Hadjar Red Bull is backing Isack Hadjar's health and his potential in the hope the young French driver develops into one of F1's top talents.

Hadjar returns for Baku despite saying he still feels pain from the wrist fracture which ruled him out of the last three races. And he has a contract extension to partner Max Verstappen for 2027, too.

Wrist injuries can have long-term consequences. Lance Stroll rushed back from wrist fractures sustained in a preseason cycling crash in 2023 but ended up missing a race after all in 2025 when he needed a follow-up operation to deal with lingering pain.

A rare Saturday race amid broader F1 schedule uncertainty It's an unusual race week in a very unusual F1 season, as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is held on a Saturday to make way for a national day of remembrance on Sunday. That means Thursday practice and Friday qualifying.

This starts a run of three races in three weeks because of the extra round next week in Malaysia, still carrying branding of the called-off Bahrain Grand Prix.