Mekies shifts Red Bull away from 'Verstappen-first' approach as Hadjar 2027 deal expected soon

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. That cultural shift represents a significant departure from how Red Bull has operated for much of the Verstappen era and before.

Hadjar joined the Milton Keynes-based squad this year, becoming the latest name to be paired alongside Verstappen after a series of competitors failed to impress. The Frenchman enjoyed a strong start to the year and bagged his seventh consecutive top-six finish before the summer break.

The latest report builds on comments Mekies made after the Hungarian Grand Prix, when the Red Bull team principal all but confirmed Hadjar's future. "We haven't discussed the future yet, but everyone can see that Isack is doing an excellent job. So we will make a logical decision," Mekies said. An official contract extension announcement for Hadjar was expected off the back of those comments, with the 21-year-old said to be currently operating on an agreement that is reviewed annually.

"It is good news that we have a strong second driver for the first time in quite a long time," Mekies said before the summer break. "Isack is performing solidly and has learned a lot from the team and from Max. It is good news, also for Max, that our two cars are a bit closer together."

While Hadjar's long-term future at Red Bull appears increasingly secure, the situation for Liam Lawson remains far less certain. The New Zealander's seat at Racing Bulls is threatened by F2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov, who has emerged as one of Red Bull's primary options for an F1 promotion in 2027. However, as GPblog has previously reported, Racing Bulls are leaning toward keeping Lawson and Lindblad next season.

Hadjar has earned a secure path alongside Verstappen under Mekies' new balanced approach, while Lawson, who stepped up to replace Hadjar at Zandvoort and finished P7, faces an uncertain long-term outlook despite consistently strong performances.

Red Bull will not rule on Hadjar's Monza fitness until Wednesday, with Lawson reportedly already involved in preparations in case another substitution is required. But regardless of which driver takes the second RB22 at Monza, it now seems clear that Mekies views Hadjar as Verstappen's long-term teammate — and is reshaping the team's culture to make that partnership work.