Laurent Mekies ran into what would always be a busy first press conference if Red Bull Team Principal with a radiant smile on his face.
The FIA originally selected the James Vowles of Williams to join Jonathan Wheatley (Sauber) and Ayao Komatsu (Haas) during the team’s team principles before he could confirm Mekers. And the replacement of Christian Horner was full of energy while he walked through the back of the room, shaking his hands with the whole front row of media and sharing jokes before he was the first to sit down.
The Frenchman may have had an intense two weeks in his new role, but he did not seem to feel the effects when he prepared himself to outline his vision. Instead, he seemed energetic because of the situation he finds.
“The only thing I have seen in these two weeks is extraordinary talents and incredible racestirnes,” Mekies explained. “These guys go to the edge on every aspect. There is no department where you see a bit of a feeling back or rest. They are really in war – in the good sense of the word, if I can say – in every aspect. That is what you see in the team.
“So really, moreover, what we are going to try to do is ensuring that all these women and men, they have everything they need to express themselves at their best, that they are supported and that they have all the resources they have to show to show their talent.
“I think they have shown season after season that they are the best in the world, or if they are not, they are very close. And you see no weaknesses. You see a lot of desire to get that Red Bull Energy, perhaps to reduce the noise outside, only to concentrate on racing. That’s what you see and that’s trying to do together.”
That does not mean that Mekies was always so positive about the Red Bull Chance. He admits that the call to take over from Horner came as a shock and to the extent surprised him that he did not immediately accept the position.
“It was not very different for me than for you, really, guys,” he told the collected press corps. “I received a few hours before you were informed. I received a phone call from Oliver [Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO] and helmut [Marko, teeam advisor]And they asked me if I would be interested in doing the work. It is clear that it came out of nowhere for me at the time. I was actually in the UK in Racing Bulls and it came in a completely unexpected way.
“I actually asked them to think about it for a few hours and to hang the phone. It’s hard to digest. But the first thing that comes to mind is:” Wait a minute. It’s Red Bull. They call you. They ask you to get in to do that job, with everything that Red Bull means – it’s the mind, how they are private.
“The first thought is clearly going for Christian in this moment, because it is not something I could have expected. And he was nothing but extremely supportive with me in the past two years. It is no secret that he is the one with Oliver and Helmut, who brought me back to the Red Bull family a few years ago.
“So that is the kind of mix of emotions that you get at the time. But as I said, the dominant is: it’s Red Bull Calling. I think it’s a matter of loyalty to go to the brand and you just say:” Of course, if you think you need me there, I’ll go there. “
On Friday was perhaps the first time that Mekies appeared in his new role in his new role, but he has fulfilled that responsibility in the factory in the last two weeks. Just like his own need to take a moment before he confirmed that he would have the chance, he saw similar reactions from the Red Bull staff.
But after the initial shock had disappeared, Mekies says that he has seen a team like to turn his fortunes, after he had slipped from the dominant power from a year ago to the fourth in the Constructors’ Championship in Belgium.
“Certainly, the first 24 hours were a big adjustment because nobody expected it. The first few hours after the announcement were a surprise for everyone and certainly a digesting phase for everyone. What can I say afterwards? I have only found a huge amount of support from everyone. They just want to race. They are enormously respectful, and we are all of the achoving people under Christian leadership.
“Could I hope for more support, openness of the people I have met in the past two weeks? No. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, willing to open the door, willing to speak, listen to their limitations and strengths, how we are going to go back to the racing track and fight at an even higher level.” I found that. “
Job 1 for Mekies is clear enough: convince Verstappen that the grass is not greener elsewhere. Ryan Piersse/Getty images
It is an approach that feels Mekies that Red Bull must have if it has to retain its appreciated property. Max Verstappen is linked to a movement elsewhere, but his own desire to see car beaters on Thursday While he looks at the future under new leadership. That is something that the 48-year-old already understands and says that he will be successful to keep Verstappen at Red Bull if he gives him the machines to fight for more championships.
“In terms of priority, I know for sure what Max is a fast car. If we get a fast car, it cancels all other considerations,” Mekies said. “So really, the focus is very much to get to know the team as quickly as possible to see how we can support, how we can build the next step of competitiveness to get a fast car and therefore make an easy call for Max.”
Many of the subjects were very similar to those of Verstappen, but although the Dutchman said that looking back would not make the team faster, Mekies revealed that he was in contact with Horner.
According to Mekies, the man he has replaced was the first to SMS and the first to call after the news was confirmed, and the couple even spoke during the first few days of the race weekend in Spa-Francorchamps.
And on the same day Toto Wolff said he would miss Horner For his presence and roll in the F1 paddock – often cast like the villain – Mekies admits that he will not try to get into the same shoes directly.
“Nobody will replace his character. Nobody will replace him like before,” he said. “I come in to do the CEO and Team Principal task. Is there a way you can do it in the same way as Christian? No. Or at least, certainly not me.
“But we will rely on the incredible strengths in this team. Everyone gets up. It is certainly an opportunity to look for even more empowerment from our people.”
Improvements from the team and fewer controversies outside of it seem to be the game plan for Mekies to try to drown out that external noise.
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