Red Bull boss reveals 'brutally honest' Max Verstappen relationship: 'We are going to challenge each other'

Laurent Mekies has provided insight into the "brutally honest" relationship he has with Max Verstappen, sharing that the pair "challenge each other" as they drive Red Bull forward together.

The Frenchman was matter-of-fact when he addressed the four-time F1 drivers' champion re-upping with the Milton Keynes-based squad, pointing out that they must "express frustrations" along the way, as they build the six-time constructors' champions back to title contention.

Having signed on the dotted line, Verstappen will stay put until the end of 2030, at last putting to bed any lingering uncertainty about his future in F1.

The Dutchman said over the Dutch Grand Prix weekend that he was closer to retirement from the championship than joining a rival team, and when asked about the talks with Verstappen, Mekies reaffirmed that narrative.

"You know, the simple truth is Max has always said that he wanted to stay with Red Bull," he told F1.com. "He has said that from the very first conversations we had about the extension to the very last conversation we had. When we finally agreed on everything, he said, 'I told you I always wanted to stay!'

"Of course, we had a complicated first part of the season with the new regulations, our car not being competitive at the start of the year.

"Obviously we pushed very late on the title fight last year, so we had our moments of frustration, but that's because we are united by that single desire to win."

The single-minded pursuit has resulted in a forthright and direct style of communication between them, according to Mekies, something that suits both the Red Bull team principal and the 71-time grand prix winner well.

The energy drinks-backed outfit is facing the prospect of a first winless campaign since 2015. It will also be the first time since that season, Verstappen's debut year with Toro Rosso, that he has not tasted victory either.

To Mekies, that constant, unending mission is what continues to motivate them.

"We have only one brief, and it’s to win," he added. "So, every time we are not winning, we are going to be – and we are going to stay – brutally honest with each other.

"We are going to challenge each other, and we are going to express frustrations, because that’s how we all feel as competitors, and that’s what gets us out of bed every day."