Carlos Sainz has high praise for Laurent Mekies, who recently made the move to Red Bull. Following the dismissal of team boss Christian Horner, the Frenchman took over the reins of the Austrian racing stable. Sainz, who knows Mekies from their shared time at Ferrari, commends him for his professional attitude. According to the Spaniard, he is also the perfect match for Red Bull.
During the Belgian Grand Prix, Sainz reflected on his time at Ferrari and particularly on his collaboration with Mekies. The Frenchman was the sporting director and race director at the Scuderia between 2018 and 2023. Sainz, who made the switch from McLaren to Ferrari in 2021, responded enthusiastically to Mekies’ recent promotion.
Broad Experience
“I find him extremely professional,” said the Spaniard. “During my time at Ferrari, he worked incredibly hard and had a lot of understanding for the drivers. He gave you a certain feeling and had a way of communicating that was very pleasant. This led to very open conversations.”
Sainz also pointed out Mekies’ broad background in Formula 1. His various roles would have prepared him excellently for a leadership role at Red Bull. “Through his time at the FIA, then at Ferrari, then at Racing Bulls, and now at Red Bull, he has enough experience to lead one of the biggest teams in Formula 1,” assured the Williams driver. “Honestly, I think he fits perfectly with Red Bull. I can only congratulate him – he truly deserves this step. I believe he’s going to enjoy it immensely.”
