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Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Nothing compares to the Scuderia


He speaks, and on the similar time by no means misses the prospect 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 crew principal is neither straightforward nor with out commitments. And Laurent Mekies, head of the Visa Money App Racing Bulls crew, 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 offer 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 crew he has led for a few seasons, to the way forward for Formulation 1, with out forgetting his time at Ferrari or current developments within the sport.

Laurent, many individuals bear in mind you to your time at Ferrari: are you able to clarify the distinction in stress and roles between VCARB and the Scuderia?
“Actually, I feel nothing can evaluate to Ferrari — in a optimistic sense. The Scuderia is a singular entity, not simply because it’s a prime crew and we’re a midfield crew, if you wish to name it that. However normally. I feel 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 depends upon the competitiveness of the individuals concerned. And on this atmosphere, we — I imply all of us — are extraordinarily aggressive.”

You’ve lately bid farewell to Yuki Tsunoda, who’s been promoted to Purple Bull. Are you proud of the work executed collectively?
“Seeing Tsunoda make the step as much as Purple Bull, after all of the progress he made with us final season, is one thing that makes us really comfortable 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 Purple Bull household is our precedence. In the event that they wanted drivers and we had nothing to supply, that will 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, however it’s a part of the sport.”

Wanting at this time, you’re going by way of a season with a line-up the place Hadjar is proving to be a significant shock and Lawson is bouncing again after his Purple Bull rejection. Ideas?
“Talking about Lawson, sure, he took an enormous hit from the Purple Bull races. Nobody may’ve predicted it, however that’s prior to now now. He’s again with us, getting right into a automotive he didn’t know. We’ve seen him make essential progress: the expertise everyone knows is coming again. Perhaps it hasn’t been so seen, however he’s actually pushing laborious and doing effectively — meaning he feels good with himself and with the crew. Hadjar is an enormous shock for everybody — besides Helmut Marko (he laughs). I need to say, from the second he began working with us as much as the primary race, he confirmed a unprecedented place to begin, despite the fact that for us the main target is on progress. And now we have to assist him develop. However the basis is superb, as we noticed in qualifying in Australia. Even off observe, he’s humble, comfortable, and a tough employee. Earlier than we transfer on, can I add one thing?”

After all…
“I feel 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 will’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 crew’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 difficult to handle these conditions, particularly when you could have two rookies. However it’s our DNA, our motive for being, and now we have to mix that with the aim of combating on the prime of the midfield and maybe beating groups larger than us.”

Nonetheless on the subject of drivers: do you play a direct position of their promotion to Purple Bull, or does Helmut Marko make the selections with out consulting you?
“I’d wish to be clear: it’s going to by no means be our job to decide on Purple Bull’s drivers. That’s as much as Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Our position is just, when needed, to offer the mum or dad firm with legitimate choices. In 2024 we gave two legitimate choices with Lawson and Tsunoda, and this yr, when requested, we put one other legitimate title on the desk. And we’ll be able to do it once more.”

With reference to Purple Bull advisors, there’s been discuss a attainable arrival of Sebastian Vettel. What do you make of those rumours, particularly given your earlier connection at Ferrari?
“Actually, I feel speaking about Helmut Marko slowing down his work is pure science fiction (he laughs). Given the power he places into his position, his involvement in long-term choices, 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 current weeks.”

Let’s look to the long run. What do you consider the 2026 rules, particularly from the viewpoint of a crew that may focus ‘solely’ on constructing the automotive, and never on the facility unit, which would be the important problem?
“Permit me a small correction. I wouldn’t communicate of solely aerodynamics: now we have to construct a whole automotive — designed and produced between Faenza and Milton Keynes. All beneath Visa Money App Racing Bulls, apart from the elements we purchase from Purple Bull, like gearbox and suspension. We make 80% of the automotive. In 2026, there shall be a regulation that requires ranging from a clean sheet — deciding the place to position issues within the automotive, the radiators, equipment. Every part. There’s an enormous quantity of conceptual and design work taking place alongside aerodynamic improvement. Will probably be the most important change in current F1 historical past, and I feel it’s going to reshuffle the pecking order. It’s such a deep revolution that it might be actually laborious 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 prime?
“I feel that even when we’re all ranging from a clean sheet, we shouldn’t idiot ourselves by saying ‘Okay, we will win’. We should keep centered on crew progress. In current months we’ve made large modifications, and we nonetheless have room to develop to be within the combat proper behind the highest groups — and thoughts you, that will imply beating at the very least two constructors. However I consider we will attain that aim not by getting larger or spending extra, however by having robust expertise and a lean, environment friendly construction. 2026 shall be a chance, however the aim stays to continue to grow the crew with out falling for the ‘clean sheet impact’ phantasm.”

Elena Rossi

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