Max Verstappen delivers 'too nice' verdict after Red Bull boss repeats 'zero' remark

Max Verstappen has described Laurent Mekies as "too nice" after the Red Bull team principal again described his input in the U-turn in performance as "zero".

Following a mid-season slump that resulted in the departure of Christian Horner as team boss after 20 years at the helm, after the British Grand Prix in July, Verstappen and Red Bull have found another gear under Mekies, especially since the summer break.

Wins from pole position in Italy and Azerbaijan have sandwiched second-placed finishes in Verstappen's home race in Zandvoort, and most recently, the Singapore Grand Prix at the weekend.

Although still a long shot, Verstappen has a sniff of a chance of securing a fifth consecutive drivers' championship. With six grands prix and three sprints remaining, he trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 63 points and the Australian's McLaren team-mate Lando Norris by 41.

Following Verstappen's performance in Singapore, Mekies insisted his contribution to Red Bull's progress was "still zero", echoing his initial comment following the Dutchman's victory at Monza.

Asked about Mekies' remark, with advisor Helmut Marko also insisting the Frenchman was "too humble", Verstappen said: "Well, I think Laurent is probably being too nice."

Recognising his effort within the overall team framework, Verstappen added: "At the end of the day, what is very good is that we approach it as a proper team effort.

"We have always tried to look into the details, to understand what our weaknesses were. Since a few races, it’s definitely picked up a lot.

"Maybe now it [the car] was not as good as the last race weekend [in Azerbaijan], but sometimes, you come out of a race a bit lost, not really understanding why or how.

"I think that now we understand why, or how we can be better. By asking the right questions, including Laurent being involved in that, it’s working well."