The primary impression of Mekies at Crimson Bull after ‘intense weeks’ and talks with Verstappen

After the dismissal of Christian Horner, Laurent Mekies faces the duty of main Crimson Bull Racing. Though the context and timing are very completely different, his promotion matches a wider development in Method 1. Mekies comes from an engineering background, not like Horner, who led the workforce for the previous 20 years. It displays the broader shift in Method 1 the place engineers are more and more getting into workforce principal roles – together with Andrea Stella at McLaren, James Vowles at Williams and Ayao Komatsu at Haas.

Whereas these examples have to this point confirmed profitable, the state of affairs at Crimson Bull may be very completely different. No miracles needs to be anticipated from Mekies in his first months, as Crimson Bull's issues go far past the workforce boss function. The automobile stays the largest challenge for Max Verstappen – and except for updates in each Spa and Budapest, it can largely stay the identical for the rest of this 12 months. For 2026, a lot will rely on the in-house engine challenge, making Mekies' job one for the lengthy haul: constructing towards a 3rd period of success for the workforce, simply as Horner himself defined throughout his last FIA press convention as Crimson Bull boss.

Engineering information and communication with drivers

That stated, Mekies is extensively appreciated by drivers who've labored with him, together with Carlos Sainz: “I feel, he's an especially good skilled. My time in Ferrari when he was there, I discovered somebody that was extremely hardworking. He understood the driving force very effectively. He had a particular feeling and a particular communication with drivers, which I feel makes issues for the driving force very snug and really open.”

In that regard, his engineering background is an asset. Mekies is well-known within the paddock for understanding drivers and particularly for translating their suggestions to the engineering aspect of the workforce – a vital talent in fashionable F1. Yuki Tsunoda has confirmed this as effectively: “I feel so, yeah, I agree. On the identical time I would not say that Christian did not know something. He is aware of quite a bit about vehicles and he nonetheless will get loads of suggestions from drivers. However yeah, positively, Laurent was once an engineer, in order that's one among his strengths.”

The Japanese driver attracts from his expertise at Racing Bulls: “He was persistently making an attempt to know what the present limitation was after each single session. He was straight contacting the areas of the workforce, some components that we acquired straight from the workforce members. That very reactiveness and likewise getting particular suggestions, and understanding it from his engineering aspect, that was fairly robust. I am positive that he'll do the identical right here and I am positive he'll do effectively.”

Verstappen: Mekies' expertise in numerous organisations might assist

Whereas Tsunoda heard the information from Helmut Marko, Verstappen was knowledgeable straight by the shareholders – conversations that included the long-term imaginative and prescient of the workforce as effectively. The Dutchman has spent appreciable time on the Milton Keynes manufacturing facility over the previous weeks, the place he mixed his common simulator work with conversations with the brand new boss.

“After all I already had fairly just a few conferences with Laurent as effectively. The final two weeks have been fairly intense for him to leap in,” Verstappen stated, and when requested what was mentioned throughout these conferences he added: “We'll maintain that between ourselves, after all, however he is extremely motivated and I like that. You may see the fireplace. After all, it is new within the function, but it surely's thrilling.”

As for the precise impression, Verstappen stays measured: “Time will inform.” However in response to a query posed by Autosport, the world champion did point out that his first impression is an efficient one. “It has been good. I like Laurent. He is a really good man, initially, very intelligent man. He is been in numerous areas of the F1 paddock as effectively. And I feel that may be useful.”

With that last comment, Verstappen touches on an vital level: Mekies has a well-rounded resume. At Ferrari, he gained expertise inside one other high workforce; his time on the FIA gave greater than helpful insights into the regulatory aspect of F1; and his latest work with Crimson Bull's sister workforce helped to familiarise himself inside Crimson Bull.

This vary of expertise can be seen as a significant energy by Sainz: “Since his time within the FIA, then Ferrari, Racing Bulls, and now coming into Crimson Bull – he has loads of expertise to guide one of many greatest groups in Method 1. I feel he is truthfully the proper match for that workforce. So, congrats to him – in all probability he deserves that improve or that step up. I feel he will get pleasure from it.”

A a lot larger job than earlier than – persistence the important thing to long-term success?

Whereas Mekies' engineering background, praised communication with drivers, and wide-ranging expertise can probably work in his favour, there's no denying that working Crimson Bull is by far the largest problem of his profession so far.

His obligations prolong effectively past the racetrack – significantly with Crimson Bull additionally deeply concerned in its in-house engine challenge. Helmut Marko has already indicated that Crimson Bull tries to restrict Mekies' obligations in comparison with Horner – which was one of many points in latest occasions – however the engine challenge straight impacts the on-track efficiency in 2026, and by extension the workforce that Mekies is now chargeable for.

On high of that, working a high workforce includes a terrific deal extra strain and politics – each internally and in dealings with the FIA and rival groups. These have been areas the place Horner was extraordinarily skilled in, as mirrored in his ongoing rivalry and political video games with Toto Wolff.

In an interview with Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, Marko, has confirmed Mekies is “extra targeted on racing” and “not as concerned in different departments. It's important that the scope of obligations for him as workforce principal has been lowered in comparison with Horner.”

“The state of affairs in Method 1 is changing into extra like soccer: if it doesn't work, the coach has to go,” Marko added, in reference to Horner's departure. “The transition went very easily.

“Laurent is an efficient decide of character; he reaches out to folks, and that can hopefully have a optimistic impact,” Marko additionally downplayed media experiences suggesting widespread discontent in Milton Keynes over Horner's exit, saying merely: “We're not conscious of any such factor.”

With Mekies, Crimson Bull is choosing a distinct fashion of management: a brand new course, as Verstappen himself put it on Thursday. It's a shift that matches a broader development, however even Verstappen understands that change gained't occur in a single day. “I can not say proper now, inside two weeks of not even motion on observe, that all of a sudden every thing is completely different or higher. However we try to be higher and we try to work on that.”

Mekies already made some minor modifications to the simulator, however larger enhancements will take time – which means Mekies must be given that point as effectively. There's all the time strain in F1, particularly on the high, however Crimson Bull's present state of affairs is just not a fast repair. Endurance is required, additionally with the brand new boss.