Mekies Stays Humble After Verstappen's Victory: "1500 People Made This Possible"

Max Verstappen's recent victory marked a significant milestone for Laurent Mekies, his first as a team principal in Formula 1. True to his character, the Frenchman reacted to this achievement with remarkable understatement and humility, redirecting focus from himself to the collective effort of his team.

Why it matters

Mekies' approach highlights a leadership style centered on team unity and shared success, especially after a challenging start to the season. His refusal to take personal credit, despite the international media's attempts to draw out a more self-serving narrative, sets a strong precedent for his tenure.

The big picture

Following a tough initial period where the team questioned its performance and direction, Mekies emphasized the constructive spirit within Red Bull Racing. This victory is not just a win on track but a validation of the hard work and open-mindedness of the entire organization.

What he said

When asked about the significance of this first victory, Mekies told GPblog:

• "In this sort of moment, you think about the team back in Milton Keynes, after the tough start to the season, when things are not working the way you would like them to work."
• "When you are missing that ultimate pace, you question everything, that's the way we are. That's the way competition is. You question everything."
• "What's great in the team is that they kept an open mind. They did question everything in a very constructive way. It's a lot of hard work. You don't always get the positive feedback on the tracks as what we got today."
• "The thoughts are very much with everyone in Milton Keynes that have been pushing so hard not to give up."

On his personal contribution

Further pressed on his engineering background and potential role in the car's setup, Mekies was unequivocal:

• "The level of contribution is zero. I'm not joking either."
• "It’s 1,500 people working on making the car faster. So these are the contributions of these talents that make the car faster, that make the hundreds and make the thousands, make the setup options available, and makes the new components available. The short answer is zero."

Mekies has clearly made a positive impression, fostering a cohesive and positive environment within the team, ensuring everyone is pushing in the right direction.