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<\/a>\n <\/p>\nAhead of this weekend\u2019s Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps, Max Verstappen addressed the international media at the customary media session on a Thursday. As it is the first race since the announcement that Laurent Mekies has taken over the team principal duties from Christian Horner at Oracle Red Bull Racing, it was a well-attended media session<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shareholders and management of Red Bull decided they wanted a chance\u201d, said Max in the Spa paddock. \u201cIn the end, they are the ones that head up Oracle Red Bull Racing and I\u2019m their driver. They are the ones that make such decisions. If I reflect on the twenty years of Christian leading the team, we\u2019ve had great years and achievements. Of course, there were lesser years, like the last year and a half when things didn\u2019t go the way we wanted it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The day after the announcement of Horner’s departure, Max was scheduled to work in the simulator at the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes. It proved a good opportunity to get to know Laurent Mekies, who has stepped into the role of team principal. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to working with Laurent, we\u2019ve already had a few meetings. The last two weeks were intense for him, but he is really motivated, which I appreciate. You can see the fire in his eyes as he takes on this new role. We want to improve and Laurent is a smart and nice guy who has experience in several different places and positions in the Formula 1 paddock. That can be useful.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking ahead to the future, Max remained realistic: \u201cLife is unpredictable, but I\u2019m happy where I am. I hope, and that was the goal we set when we extended our contract, to drive here until the end of my career.”<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a>The four-time champion added: \u201cOf course we appreciate these twenty years, also from my point of view. I\u2019ve been part of Red Bull for eleven years so the memories will always stay. The relationship between Christian and myself hasn\u2019t changed; it\u2019s still as a second family to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a>\u201cIt is also exciting for the team, because we need to look forward. Looking back won\u2019t make us faster. The only thing that\u2019s important is to keep working on the car and make it as fast as possible. We\u2019ll try to be more competitive this year, but especially with the new regulations next year.<\/p>\n
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