He speaks, and on the identical time by no means misses the prospect to line up his smartphones on the desk — by no means at relaxation, all the time lighting up with new notifications. As we all know, the lifetime of a group principal is neither straightforward nor with out commitments. And Laurent Mekies, head of the Visa Money App Racing Bulls group, is not any exception to that rule. On the Thursday of the Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna GP in Imola, between one assembly and one other, he discovered time to present this author an unique interview for Formula1.it. A pleasing chat with a courteous, calm, and rational determine, throughout which we touched on a number of subjects — from the present state of the group he has led for a few seasons, to the way forward for Formulation 1, with out forgetting his time at Ferrari or latest developments within the sport.
Laurent, many individuals keep in mind you in your time at Ferrari: are you able to clarify the distinction in strain and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Actually, I believe nothing can evaluate to Ferrari — in a constructive sense. The Scuderia is a novel entity, not simply because it’s a high group and we’re a midfield group, if you wish to name it that. However usually. I believe it’s higher to talk of 1 chapter that’s closed and a brand new one which has simply begun. As for strain, that’s all the time current, in each small and large groups. It relies on the competitiveness of the folks concerned. And on this setting, we — I imply all of us — are extraordinarily aggressive.”
You’ve just lately bid farewell to Yuki Tsunoda, who’s been promoted to Crimson Bull. Are you pleased with the work performed collectively?
“Seeing Tsunoda make the step as much as Crimson Bull, after all of the progress he made with us final season, is one thing that makes us actually comfortable and pleased with our work. Simply 12 months in the past it appeared like science fiction, and now it’s actuality: we’re pleased with what we’ve performed. Alongside chasing most competitiveness, growing drivers for the Crimson Bull household is our precedence. In the event that they wanted drivers and we had nothing to supply, that might be a giant drawback. It’s one of many causes we’re right here. Most likely these swaps value us one thing by way of efficiency, it’s true, nevertheless it’s a part of the sport.”
Wanting at present, you’re going by way of a season with a line-up the place Hadjar is proving to be a serious shock and Lawson is bouncing again after his Crimson Bull rejection. Ideas?
“Talking about Lawson, sure, he took a giant hit from the Crimson Bull races. Nobody may’ve predicted it, however that’s previously now. He’s again with us, getting right into a automobile he didn’t know. We’ve seen him make vital progress: the expertise everyone knows is coming again. Possibly it hasn’t been so seen, however he’s actually pushing exhausting and doing effectively — meaning he feels good with himself and with the group. Hadjar is a giant shock for everybody — besides Helmut Marko (he laughs). I need to say, from the second he began working with us as much as the primary race, he confirmed a unprecedented start line, though for us the main target is on progress. And we’ve got to assist him develop. However the basis is great, as we noticed in qualifying in Australia. Even off observe, he’s humble, comfortable, and a tough employee. Earlier than we transfer on, can I add one thing?”
After all…
“I believe our driver pairing has performed about twenty races in whole — combining Liam and Isack. I invite you to place that information on a chart in comparison with the opposite 9 groups, and also you’ll see the big hole between us and the remainder. Most respect to everybody, however having two rookies means we will’t ask them for a similar issues anticipated from the opposite 18 drivers. Once more, we’re sacrificing one thing by way of competitiveness, however I hope it’ll assist us sooner or later.”
Are you able to clarify, then, how this oblique administration of drivers impacts the group’s progress in the long run?
“It’s by no means a bonus — no level in pretending in any other case. It’s all the time difficult to handle these conditions, particularly when you will have two rookies. However it’s our DNA, our purpose for being, and we’ve got to mix that with the purpose of combating on the high of the midfield and maybe beating groups greater than us.”
Nonetheless on the subject of drivers: do you play a direct position of their promotion to Crimson Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the choices with out consulting you?
“I’d wish to be clear: it should by no means be our job to decide on Crimson Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our position is simply, when obligatory, to supply the guardian firm with legitimate choices. In 2024 we gave two legitimate choices with Lawson and Tsunoda, and this 12 months, when requested, we put one other legitimate identify on the desk. And we’ll be able to do it once more.”
With reference to Crimson Bull advisors, there’s been discuss a doable arrival of Sebastian Vettel. What do you make of those rumours, particularly given your earlier connection at Ferrari?
“Actually, I believe speaking about Helmut Marko slowing down his work is pure science fiction (he laughs). Given the vitality he places into his position, his involvement in long-term selections, and his dedication to driver choice, I don’t consider something will occur within the brief time period, whatever the rumours and names circulating in latest weeks.”
Let’s look to the longer term. What do you consider the 2026 laws, particularly from the viewpoint of a group that may focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automobile, and never on the facility unit, which would be the foremost problem?
“Permit me a small correction. I wouldn’t converse of solely aerodynamics: we’ve got to construct a whole automobile — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All below Visa Money App Racing Bulls, apart from the elements we purchase from Crimson Bull, like gearbox and suspension. We make 80% of the automobile. In 2026, there might be a regulation that requires ranging from a clean sheet — deciding the place to put issues within the automobile, the radiators, equipment. All the pieces. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work taking place alongside aerodynamic improvement. It is going to be the largest change in latest F1 historical past, and I believe it should reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it might be actually exhausting to have the identical image as in the present day.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you simply, too, may have a shot on the high?
“I believe that even when we’re all ranging from a clean sheet, we shouldn’t idiot ourselves by saying ‘Okay, we will win’. We should keep centered on group progress. In latest months we’ve made large adjustments, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the combat proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that might imply beating not less than two constructors. However I consider we will attain that purpose not by getting greater or spending extra, however by having sturdy expertise and a lean, environment friendly construction. 2026 might be a chance, however the purpose stays to continue to grow the group with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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