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 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 offer 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 staff 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?
“Actually, I feel nothing can examine to Ferrari — in a constructive sense. The Scuderia is a novel entity, not simply because it’s a prime staff and we’re a midfield staff, 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 strain, that’s at all times current, in each small and large groups. It will depend on the competitiveness of the folks concerned. And on this setting, we — I imply all of us — are extraordinarily aggressive.”
You’ve not too long ago bid farewell to Yuki Tsunoda, who’s been promoted to Pink Bull. Are you pleased with the work achieved 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 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, growing drivers for the Pink Bull household is our precedence. In the event that they wanted drivers and we had nothing to supply, that will 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 this time, 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 Pink Bull rejection. Ideas?
“Talking about Lawson, sure, he took a giant hit from the Pink 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. Perhaps 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 staff. Hadjar is a giant 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 rare start line, despite the fact that for us the main target is on development. And we’ve to assist him develop. However the basis is superb, 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 feel 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 remaining. 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 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 at all times difficult to handle these conditions, particularly when you’ve got two rookies. But it surely’s our DNA, our purpose for being, and we’ve 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 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’s 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 offer the mother or father firm with legitimate choices. In 2024 we gave two legitimate choices with Lawson and Tsunoda, and this 12 months, when requested, we put one other legitimate identify on the desk. And we’ll be able to do it once more.”
As regards 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?
“Actually, I feel 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 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 rules, particularly from the standpoint of a staff that may focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automotive, and never on the facility unit, which would be the principal problem?
“Permit me a small correction. I wouldn’t communicate of solely aerodynamics: we’ve to construct a whole automotive — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All below Visa Money App Racing Bulls, aside from the elements we purchase from Pink Bull, like gearbox and suspension. We make 80% of the automotive. In 2026, there can be a regulation that requires ranging from a clean sheet — deciding the place to position issues within the automotive, the radiators, equipment. Every thing. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work occurring alongside aerodynamic growth. Will probably be the largest change in current F1 historical past, and I feel it’s going to reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it might be actually arduous to have the identical image as right this moment.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you simply, too, may 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 are able to win’. We should keep centered on staff development. In current months we’ve made large adjustments, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the combat proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that will imply beating at the least two constructors. However I imagine we are able to attain that aim not by getting greater or spending extra, however by having robust expertise and a lean, environment friendly construction. 2026 can be a chance, however the aim stays to continue to grow the staff with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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