For Red Bull the upcoming Formula 1 season marks a milestone in the team’s 22-year history. After the split with engine supplier Honda, the Austrians will for the first time take the grid with their own power unit. In collaboration with car giant Ford, Red Bull Powertrains has developed a brand-new power unit for the RB22. Laurent Mekies expects a challenging start to the season, but also knows Max Verstappen can make the difference.
Given that Red Bull is up against established engine manufacturers such as Mercedes and Ferrari, Laurent Mekies won’t assume Max Verstappen will be up front in Australia straight away. He repeatedly stressed that it would be naive to think Red Bull could immediately get the better of those powerhouses. Other newcomers, like the new Audi works team, also have a deeper connection to engine technology than the energy-drink maker. “That’s why we must temper expectations in the opening part of the season,” Mekies told De Telegraaf. “After that you’ll see we make progress.”
“We expect the first months will be tough,” he continued. “We will have headaches, suffer sleepless nights and will probably sometimes struggle to get the car out of the garage at all. But at the same time we believe we have the right resources to climb back. Be patient and give us some time.”
Key role for Verstappen
The Frenchman underlined the importance of Max Verstappen, who – despite the ongoing transfer rumours – remains deeply involved with Red Bull. “It’s madness to think we’ll be at top level straight away,” Mekies explained. “It would also be odd to assume that Max (Verstappen, ed.) doesn’t understand that. That does not change our ambition to be number one. Max stays involved in every discussion, every analysis and every risk we take. He’s brought into everything.”
The four-time world champion, who can also make the difference on track, is a crucial asset for Red Bull. “I think we have a threefold advantage with Max,” Mekies confirmed. “First, because of his involvement; second, because of his feel for the car. With the new regulations the drivers’ influence only increases. And finally, Max can push the team in the right direction like no one else, so we can get even more out of the car and the power unit. In that respect he gives us a considerable boost.”
