Mekies defends Red Bull’s no-orders approach in Baku

Red Bull Racing narrowly missed its first victory of the 2026 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing with Max Verstappen in second place and Isack Hadjar in third. Team principal Laurent Mekies defended the decision to maintain the running order of the drivers, believing it offered the best chance to capitalize on a potential late-race safety car, despite Hadjar showing greater pace at times during the race.

Mekies highlighted the significant improvement in Red Bull's competitiveness, noting that both drivers performed exceptionally well throughout the weekend. He expressed pride in the team's progress, stating that they had closed the gap to their rivals and were now capable of competing with Mercedes. The result in Baku was seen as a turning point for Red Bull, showcasing their enhanced performance and teamwork.