He speaks, and on the similar 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, 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 nice 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 latest developments within the sport.
Laurent, many individuals bear in mind you on 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 novel entity, not simply because it’s a high group and we’re a midfield group, if you wish to name it that. However generally. 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 large groups. It relies on the competitiveness of the individuals concerned. And on this surroundings, 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 pleased with 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 really 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, creating 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 downside. It’s one of many causes we’re right here. In all probability these swaps value us one thing when it comes to efficiency, it’s true, nevertheless it’s a part of the sport.”
Trying at the moment, 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 automobile 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 arduous and doing nicely — meaning 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 place to begin, though for us the main target is on progress. And now we have to assist him develop. However the basis is great, 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 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 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 sophisticated to handle these conditions, particularly when you’ve two rookies. But it surely’s our DNA, our motive for being, and now we have to mix that with the objective 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 function of their promotion to Pink Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the choices with out consulting you?
“I’d prefer to be clear: it can by no means be our job to decide on Pink Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our function is barely, when essential, 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.”
With regards 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 vitality he places into his function, his involvement in long-term selections, and his dedication to driver choice, I don’t consider something will occur within the quick time period, whatever the rumours and names circulating in latest weeks.”
Let’s look to the long run. What do you consider the 2026 rules, particularly from the viewpoint of a group that can focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automobile, and never on the ability unit, which would be the major problem?
“Permit me a small correction. I wouldn’t communicate of solely aerodynamics: now we have to construct a whole automobile — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All underneath 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 can be a regulation that requires ranging from a clean sheet — deciding the place to put issues within the automobile, the radiators, equipment. All the pieces. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work occurring alongside aerodynamic improvement. It is going to be the most important change in latest F1 historical past, and I believe it can reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it could be actually arduous to have the identical image as at this time.”
Let me be direct: are you saying that you simply, 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 targeted on group progress. In latest 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 consider we are able to attain that objective 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 objective stays to continue to grow the group with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”
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