Newly appointed Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies is getting to know Max Verstappen better, and so far, it’s been full of pleasant surprises. The Frenchman, who previously led Racing Bulls, has never worked directly with the Dutch world champion before. While Mekies had already recognized Verstappen’s ‘unique talent’ on the track, he is now discovering how the driver handles everything behind the scenes.
Laurent Mekies started as team boss at Red Bull shortly after the British Grand Prix, and has worked with Max Verstappen for the first time over the past two race weekends. Although the Frenchman previously led sister team Racing Bulls – the team where Verstappen himself was behind the wheel in 2015, then under the name Toro Rosso – Mekies and the Dutchman have never worked directly together.
Mekies Surprised by Verstappen
The first two Grands Prix with Max Verstappen provided pleasant surprises for the Red Bull team boss. “Suddenly you get to know him better, and you discover everything behind his track performances,” Mekies begins in the BBC Inside Track podcast. “You suddenly see how he can reach his incredible level. Of course, I had already seen his unique talent on the track, but you suddenly get to know Max off the circuit. He has such a tremendous dedication, love for the sport, and direct approach to both the good and bad moments.”
“That combination makes him untouchable and unique,” Mekies continues his praise. “There are many fast drivers, but it’s incredible when you have both that raw talent and that absolute love for and dedication to the sport. And that, along with all the insight he has developed. So was I surprised? I was certainly surprised, it went beyond what I had expected.” Verstappen was unable to secure a podium finish in his first two Grand Prix weekends with Mekies as team boss, although he did win the sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps.
