He speaks, and on the identical time by no means misses the possibility 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 staff principal is neither simple nor with out commitments. And Laurent Mekies, head of the Visa Money App Racing Bulls staff, isn’t 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 provide this author an unique interview for Formula1.it. A nice chat with a courteous, calm, and rational determine, throughout which we touched on a number of matters — from the present state of the staff he has led for a few seasons, to the way forward for Components 1, with out forgetting his time at Ferrari or current developments within the sport.
Laurent, many individuals keep in mind you on your time at Ferrari: are you able to clarify the distinction in strain and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Truthfully, I feel nothing can examine to Ferrari — in a optimistic sense. The Scuderia is a singular entity, not simply because it’s a prime staff and we’re a midfield staff, if you wish to name it that. However generally. I feel 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 is determined by the competitiveness of the folks concerned. And on this surroundings, we — I imply all of us — are extraordinarily aggressive.”
You’ve just lately bid farewell to Yuki Tsunoda, who’s been promoted to Purple Bull. Are you pleased with the work finished collectively?
“Seeing Tsunoda make the step as much as Purple Bull, after all of the progress he made with us final season, is one thing that makes us actually joyful 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 finished. Alongside chasing most competitiveness, creating drivers for the Purple 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. In all probability these swaps price us one thing when it comes to efficiency, it’s true, however it’s a part of the sport.”
Trying at present, you’re going via a season with a line-up the place Hadjar is proving to be a significant shock and Lawson is bouncing again after his Purple Bull rejection. Ideas?
“Talking about Lawson, sure, he took a giant hit from the Purple Bull races. Nobody might’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. Perhaps it hasn’t been so seen, however he’s actually pushing arduous and doing effectively — meaning he feels good with himself and with the staff. Hadjar is a giant shock for everybody — besides Helmut Marko (he laughs). I have to say, from the second he began working with us as much as the primary race, he confirmed a rare place to begin, although for us the main target is on development. And we have now to assist him develop. However the basis is great, as we noticed in qualifying in Australia. Even off monitor, he’s humble, joyful, and a tough employee. Earlier than we transfer on, can I add one thing?”
In fact…
“I feel our driver pairing has finished about twenty races in whole — combining Liam and Isack. I invite you to place that knowledge on a chart in comparison with the opposite 9 groups, and also you’ll see the large 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 when it comes to 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 staff’s development in the long run?
“It’s by no means a bonus — no level in pretending in any other case. It’s all the time sophisticated to handle these conditions, particularly when you might have two rookies. Nevertheless it’s our DNA, our cause for being, and we have now to mix that with the aim of combating on the prime of the midfield and maybe beating groups greater than us.”
Nonetheless on the subject of drivers: do you play a direct function of their promotion to Purple Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the choices with out consulting you?
“I’d wish to be clear: it can by no means be our job to decide on Purple Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our function is just, when needed, to offer the father or mother firm with legitimate choices. In 2024 we gave two legitimate choices with Lawson and Tsunoda, and this yr, when requested, we put one other legitimate identify on the desk. And we’ll be able to do it once more.”
With reference to Purple Bull advisors, there’s been speak about a attainable arrival of Sebastian Vettel. What do you make of those rumours, particularly given your earlier connection at Ferrari?
“Truthfully, I feel speaking about Helmut Marko slowing down his work is pure science fiction (he laughs). Given the vitality he places into his function, his involvement in long-term choices, and his dedication to driver choice, I don’t consider something will occur within the quick time period, whatever the rumours and names circulating in current weeks.”
Let’s look to the longer term. What do you consider the 2026 laws, particularly from the viewpoint of a staff that can focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automobile, and never on the facility unit, which would be the important problem?
“Permit me a small correction. I wouldn’t communicate of solely aerodynamics: we have now to construct a complete automobile — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All below Visa Money App Racing Bulls, aside from the elements we purchase from Purple 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 position issues within the automobile, the radiators, equipment. All the pieces. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work occurring alongside aerodynamic improvement. It is going to be the largest change in current F1 historical past, and I feel it can reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it will be actually arduous to have the identical image as at the moment.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you just, too, might have a shot on the prime?
“I feel 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 targeted on staff development. In current months we’ve made large adjustments, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the battle proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that might imply beating at the very least two constructors. However I consider we will attain that aim not by getting greater or spending extra, however by having robust expertise and a lean, environment friendly construction. 2026 might be a possibility, however the aim stays to continue to grow the staff with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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