Max Verstappen Shares Positive Early Feedback on New Red Bull F1 Boss Laurent Mekies

Why it matters:

New leadership is crucial for Red Bull as they navigate a challenging season and prepare for upcoming technical regulations. Max Verstappen's early assessment offers insight into the team's internal dynamics and future direction.

The big picture:

Laurent Mekies recently took over as Red Bull's team principal, succeeding long-time boss Christian Horner. This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for the team, which currently sits fourth in the constructors' standings. Mekies' arrival occurred just before the summer break, a period Verstappen noted as too short for immediate, drastic shifts.

Verstappen's take:

Max Verstappen expressed a positive initial impression of Mekies, praising his approach and observing a generally positive mood within the team.

• "He joined quickly and then had two weeks, and then you had a break again," Verstappen explained. "So, it's not suddenly that a lot of things are changing."
• He added, "I like the approach that he's having. And it seems like everyone is very positive about the mood in the team, also, when I see people walk around and when we’re talking."
• Verstappen emphasized that profound changes take time, especially considering Horner's two-decade tenure.

What's next:

Mekies is tasked with steering Red Bull through the remainder of the current season while simultaneously preparing the team for a new era under revised technical regulations set to begin next year.