The honeymoon period for Laurent Mekies at Red Bull Racing appears to be well and truly over. Once hailed as a smooth transition from Christian Horner, Mekies' leadership faced a stark contrast in 2026, with the team struggling to maintain its competitive edge. The article highlights a stark contrast between the team's performance in 2025 and 2026, with Max Verstappen's championship hopes fading and the team's overall performance declining. The text emphasizes the team's cornering weaknesses and deployment issues, with Verstappen expressing frustration over the car's undriveability. The article also mentions the team's struggle to keep up with Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren in the constructors' championship. The author questions whether Mekies' honeymoon period is truly over, suggesting that the team's future may depend on the next few races and Verstappen's contract negotiations. The article concludes by inviting readers to vote in a poll, indicating a need for a clear direction and a potential turning point for the team.
