Mekies Reveals Core Difference Leading Red Bull vs. Racing Bulls

Laurent Mekies Unpacks Distinct Pressures at Red Bull

Laurent Mekies, now Red Bull's team principal, has articulated the fundamental distinction between leading the reigning champions and their sister team, Racing Bulls. He describes the answer as "very simple."

Why it matters:

Mekies' insights offer a rare look into the distinct pressures and expectations at the pinnacle of Formula 1 versus the midfield, highlighting the relentless pursuit of perfection required at a top team like Red Bull.

The big picture:

Mekies transitioned to Red Bull after the British Grand Prix, having previously guided Racing Bulls since the start of the 2024 season. His brief tenure at Red Bull has already yielded clear contrasts in leadership challenges.

The details:

• At Racing Bulls, the objective was often about securing points and maximizing midfield performance.
• At Red Bull, anything less than victory is considered an underperformance, with the team focused on "ultimate performance."
• Mekies emphasizes that top teams push every aspect of the car and organization to the extreme for the smallest gains in lap time.
• He stated, "Every race weekend, you have a very simple answer to your weekend: did you win or not?"
• He cited the P2 finish in Zandvoort, acknowledging Lando Norris's misfortune, as a moment where the team still questioned what was missing despite a podium result.

What they're saying:

Mekies elaborated on the mindset difference, explaining: "It’s very easy to underestimate how extreme you need to go with the car, and therefore with a team, with a company, when you look for ultimate performance... Until you reach it, the answer is that you didn’t do everything you could."

What's next:

Red Bull, with Max Verstappen, recently secured a victory at the Italian Grand Prix, providing a positive answer to Mekies' ultimate question. The team now prepares for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, aiming to continue their winning ways.