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, at all times lighting up with new notifications. As we all know, the lifetime of a group principal is neither simple 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 nice 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 Method 1, with out forgetting his time at Ferrari or current developments within the sport.
Laurent, many individuals bear in mind you in your time at Ferrari: are you able to clarify the distinction in strain and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Truthfully, I believe nothing can evaluate to Ferrari — in a constructive sense. The Scuderia is a singular entity, not simply because it’s a high group and we’re a midfield group, if you wish to name it that. However normally. 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 at all times current, in each small and large groups. It is dependent upon the competitiveness of the individuals 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 Pink Bull. Are you proud of the work completed collectively?
“Seeing Tsunoda make the step as much as Pink Bull, after all of the progress he made with us final season, is one thing that makes us actually completely happy 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 completed. Alongside chasing most competitiveness, growing drivers for the Pink Bull household is our precedence. In the event that they wanted drivers and we had nothing to supply, that might be an enormous drawback. It’s one of many causes we’re right here. In all probability these swaps value us one thing by way of efficiency, it’s true, however 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 Pink Bull rejection. Ideas?
“Talking about Lawson, sure, he took an enormous hit from the Pink Bull races. Nobody may’ve predicted it, however that’s up to now now. He’s again with us, getting right into a automotive he didn’t know. We’ve seen him make essential progress: the expertise everyone knows is coming again. Possibly it hasn’t been so seen, however he’s actually pushing onerous and doing properly — meaning he feels good with himself and with the group. Hadjar is an enormous 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 place to begin, regardless that for us the main focus is on development. And we’ve got 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?”
After all…
“I believe our driver pairing has completed 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 big hole between us and the remainder. Most respect to everybody, however having two rookies means we are able to’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 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 have got two rookies. However it’s our DNA, our cause 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 Pink Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the choices with out consulting you?
“I’d wish to be clear: it is going to by no means be our job to decide on Pink Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our position is just, when vital, to supply 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 Pink 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 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 imagine something will occur within the brief time period, whatever the rumours and names circulating in current weeks.”
Let’s look to the long run. What do you consider the 2026 rules, particularly from the standpoint of a group that can focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automotive, and never on the ability unit, which would be the most important problem?
“Enable me a small correction. I wouldn’t converse of solely aerodynamics: we’ve got to construct a complete automotive — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All beneath Visa Money App Racing Bulls, apart from the elements we purchase from Pink Bull, like gearbox and suspension. We make 80% of the automotive. In 2026, there might be a regulation that requires ranging from a clean sheet — deciding the place to position issues within the automotive, the radiators, equipment. Every little thing. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work occurring alongside aerodynamic growth. It will likely be the largest change in current F1 historical past, and I believe it is going to reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it will be actually onerous to have the identical image as as we speak.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you just, 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 are able to win’. We should keep centered on group 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 not less than two constructors. However I imagine we are able to attain that purpose 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 purpose stays to continue to grow the group with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
