Laurent Mekies Downplays Role in Red Bull's Monza F1 Win Despite Team Praise

Max Verstappen secured a decisive win for Red Bull at the Italian Grand Prix, yet new team principal Laurent Mekies surprisingly dismissed his personal influence on the victory, stating his contribution was “zero.” This humble stance comes despite adviser Helmut Marko and Verstappen himself crediting Mekies for a “new philosophy” and asking the “right questions” that guided the team's weekend strategy.

Why it matters:

Mekies' exceptional modesty is notable, especially considering recent internal power struggles at Red Bull. His approach contrasts with previous narratives, potentially fostering greater team harmony and sharing the spotlight. It also highlights a growing trend of engineers taking on top leadership roles in F1, emphasizing technical acumen and collaborative management.

The details:

• Mekies' Stance: When asked about his influence, Mekies insisted his contribution was “zero,” attributing the success to the 1,500-strong team working tirelessly to improve the car and optimize options. He emphasized his role is solely to ensure the team's talent is in the best conditions to perform.
• Team's Acknowledgment:
  • Helmut Marko praised a “new philosophy” that avoids blindly following simulator data, instead integrating driver experience.
  • Max Verstappen highlighted Mekies' engineering background, which enables him to ask crucial “common-sense questions” to engineers, improving communication and strategy.
• Monza Specifics: Red Bull's strong performance at Monza was partly due to long-term planning, including developing a dedicated low-downforce rear wing and learning from last year's incorrect setup choices. These efforts largely predated Mekies' promotion.
• Operational Impact: Mekies' true influence lies in the operational side. His technical background allows him to effectively challenge the technical department, a crucial factor in the “triangle of driver, team boss, and technical department” working well at Monza.
• Driver Feedback Integration: The team notably relied more on driver feedback, especially Verstappen's insistence on sticking with a low-downforce setup during qualifying. Mekies recalled how the team then found other solutions to balance the car, proving the effectiveness of this driver-centric approach.

The big picture:

Mekies' decision to send technical director Pierre Wache to the podium instead of taking the spotlight himself further exemplifies this shift towards shared credit and collective success. This aligns with a broader trend in modern F1 where team principals like Andrea Stella (McLaren), James Vowles (Williams), and Ayao Komatsu (Haas) – all with engineering backgrounds – prioritize team-centric leadership.

What's next:

While Mekies' direct impact on Red Bull's Monza success was undoubtedly more than “zero,” his public downplaying of his role is a strategic and admirable move. It signals a new, collaborative direction for the team amidst its ongoing challenges, including the “Mount Everest to climb” of developing their own power unit for 2026. This initial morale boost from Monza could prove vital for the road ahead.