He speaks, and on the similar 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 group principal is neither straightforward nor with out commitments. And Laurent Mekies, head of the Visa Money App Racing Bulls group, 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 group 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 strain and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Actually, I believe nothing can evaluate to Ferrari — in a optimistic sense. The Scuderia is a novel entity, not simply because it’s a high group and we’re a midfield group, if you wish to name it that. However on the whole. 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 determined by the competitiveness of the folks concerned. And on this setting, we — I imply all of us — are extraordinarily aggressive.”
You’ve lately bid farewell to Yuki Tsunoda, who’s been promoted to Pink Bull. Are you proud of the work executed 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 pleased 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 executed. 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 may be an enormous drawback. It’s one of many causes we’re right here. In all probability these swaps price us one thing when it comes to efficiency, it’s true, but it surely’s a part of the sport.”
Wanting at the moment, you’re going by means 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 might’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 — which means he feels good with himself and with the group. Hadjar is an enormous 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 start line, despite the fact that for us the main focus is on progress. And we’ve to assist him develop. However the basis is superb, as we noticed in qualifying in Australia. Even off observe, he’s humble, pleased, and a tough employee. Earlier than we transfer on, can I add one thing?”
After all…
“I believe our driver pairing has executed 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 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 group’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. However it’s our DNA, our motive for being, and we’ve to mix that with the purpose 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 Pink Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the selections with out consulting you?
“I’d prefer to be clear: it’ll 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 needed, to supply the dad or mum 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.”
With reference to Pink Bull advisors, there’s been discuss a potential 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 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 laws, particularly from the standpoint of a group that may focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automobile, and never on the ability unit, which would be the major problem?
“Enable me a small correction. I wouldn’t communicate of solely aerodynamics: we’ve to construct a whole automobile — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All below Visa Money App Racing Bulls, apart from the components we purchase from Pink Bull, like gearbox and suspension. We make 80% of the automobile. In 2026, there shall be a regulation that requires ranging from a clean sheet — deciding the place to position issues within the automobile, the radiators, equipment. All the pieces. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work occurring alongside aerodynamic improvement. Will probably be the most important change in current F1 historical past, and I believe it’ll reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it could be actually exhausting to have the identical image as immediately.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you just, too, might 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 group progress. In current months we’ve made large modifications, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the combat proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that may imply beating no less than two constructors. However I consider we will attain that purpose not by getting greater or spending extra, however by having robust expertise and a lean, environment friendly construction. 2026 shall be a possibility, however the purpose stays to continue to grow the group with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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