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 workforce principal is neither straightforward nor with out commitments. And Laurent Mekies, head of the Visa Money App Racing Bulls workforce, 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 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 matters — from the present state of the workforce 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 in your time at Ferrari: are you able to clarify the distinction in stress and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Actually, I believe nothing can examine to Ferrari — in a optimistic sense. The Scuderia is a singular entity, not simply because it’s a high workforce and we’re a midfield workforce, if you wish to name it that. However basically. I believe 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 massive 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 Purple Bull. Are you proud of the work achieved 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 glad 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 achieved. 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 an enormous downside. 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.”
Trying 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 Purple Bull rejection. Ideas?
“Talking about Lawson, sure, he took an enormous hit from the Purple Bull races. Nobody may’ve predicted it, however that’s prior to now now. He’s again with us, getting right into a automotive 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 arduous and doing effectively — which means he feels good with himself and with the workforce. 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 start line, although 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, glad, and a tough employee. Earlier than we transfer on, can I add one thing?”
After all…
“I believe our driver pairing has achieved 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 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 workforce’s progress in the long run?
“It’s by no means a bonus — no level in pretending in any other case. It’s at all times difficult to handle these conditions, particularly when you may have two rookies. Nevertheless it’s our DNA, our cause for being, and we’ve got to mix that with the aim of preventing 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 Purple Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the choices with out consulting you?
“I’d prefer to be clear: it is going to by no means be our job to decide on Purple Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our position is simply, when vital, to offer the dad or mum 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 regards to Purple Bull advisors, there’s been discuss a attainable 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 power 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 laws, particularly from the viewpoint of a workforce that can focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automotive, and never on the ability unit, which would be the essential problem?
“Permit me a small correction. I wouldn’t communicate 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 Purple 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 put issues within the automotive, the radiators, equipment. Every thing. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work taking place alongside aerodynamic growth. It is going to 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 could be actually arduous to have the identical image as at the moment.”
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 will win’. We should keep centered on workforce progress. In current months we’ve made huge modifications, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the struggle proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that might imply beating a minimum of two constructors. However I imagine we will attain that aim not by getting greater or spending extra, however by having sturdy expertise and a lean, environment friendly construction. 2026 might be a possibility, however the aim stays to continue to grow the workforce with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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