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, at all times lighting up with new notifications. As we all know, the lifetime of a crew principal is neither straightforward nor with out commitments. And Laurent Mekies, head of the Visa Money App Racing Bulls crew, 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 provide 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 crew he has led for a few seasons, to the way forward for Formulation 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 stress and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Actually, I feel nothing can examine to Ferrari — in a constructive sense. The Scuderia is a novel entity, not simply because it’s a high crew and we’re a midfield crew, if you wish to name it that. However on the whole. I feel it’s higher to talk of 1 chapter that’s closed and a brand new one which has simply begun. As for stress, that’s at all times current, in each small and large groups. It is dependent upon the competitiveness of the folks concerned. And on this surroundings, we — I imply all of us — are extraordinarily aggressive.”
You’ve lately bid farewell to Yuki Tsunoda, who’s been promoted to Crimson Bull. Are you pleased with the work accomplished 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 completely happy and happy with our work. Simply 12 months in the past it appeared like science fiction, and now it’s actuality: we’re happy with what we’ve accomplished. 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 may be a giant downside. It’s one of many causes we’re right here. Most likely these swaps value us one thing when it comes to efficiency, it’s true, nevertheless it’s a part of the sport.”
Trying at the moment, you’re going via 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 essential progress: the expertise everyone knows is coming again. Perhaps it hasn’t been so seen, however he’s actually pushing exhausting and doing nicely — meaning he feels good with himself and with the crew. 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, despite the fact that 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, completely happy, and a tough employee. Earlier than we transfer on, can I add one thing?”
In fact…
“I feel our driver pairing has accomplished about twenty races in complete — 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 large hole between us and the remaining. 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 crew’s development in the long run?
“It’s by no means a bonus — no level in pretending in any other case. It’s at all times sophisticated to handle these conditions, particularly when you could have two rookies. But it surely’s our DNA, our cause for being, and we have now to mix that with the purpose of preventing on the high of the midfield and maybe beating groups larger than us.”
Nonetheless on the subject of drivers: do you play a direct function of their promotion to Crimson Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the choices with out consulting you?
“I’d prefer to be clear: it can by no means be our job to decide on Crimson Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our function is barely, when crucial, to offer the guardian 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.”
As regards to Crimson Bull advisors, there’s been speak about a potential arrival of Sebastian Vettel. What do you make of those rumours, particularly given your earlier connection at Ferrari?
“Actually, I feel speaking about Helmut Marko slowing down his work is pure science fiction (he laughs). Given the power 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 brief time period, whatever the rumours and names circulating in current weeks.”
Let’s look to the longer term. What do you consider the 2026 rules, particularly from the standpoint of a crew that may focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automobile, and never on the ability unit, which would be the principal problem?
“Enable me a small correction. I wouldn’t converse of solely aerodynamics: we have now to construct a complete automobile — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All beneath Visa Money App Racing Bulls, aside 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. The whole lot. 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 could be actually exhausting to have the identical image as at present.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you simply, too, may have a shot on the high?
“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 centered on crew development. In current months we’ve made large modifications, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the battle proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that may imply beating not less than two constructors. However I consider we will attain that purpose not by getting larger 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 crew with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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