Mekies: Racing Bulls strive for ascent to midfield!

Mekies: Racing Bulls strive for ascent to midfield!

Tours, Frankreich - Laurent Mekies, who has been team boss at Racing Bulls since January 2024, looks back on a turbulent time. In the past 18 months, the team has experienced both the driver change as well as top results and setbacks. Its primary goal is to achieve "the top of the midfield" in the design classification, while the team is currently in 7th place and is tied with Haas in 6th place. Mekies, who considers the decision to return at Racing Bulls to be privileged, emphasizes the importance of an optimal work environment for its team members. According to Mekies, the best moments are these that manifest themselves on the route, where the team's achievements are visible.

Mekies went through a remarkable development during his career in Formula 1. Born on April 28, 1977 in Tours, France, he completed his mechanical engineering studies at the Estaca school in Paris before entering Formula 1 with the Arrows F1 team in 2001. After a short stay at Minardi, where he gained significant experiences with drivers such as Jos Verstappen and Mark Webber, he became Chief Engineer at Toro Rosso in 2006. The role included responsibility for vehicle design and on-track performance.

Current development and challenges

Currently Mekies is satisfied with the development of the car and team performance. He particularly emphasizes the extraordinary rookie Isack Hadjar, while Liam Lawson takes time to integrate into a team. Mekies recognizes the need to promote driver development, even if this can affect competitiveness at short notice. He emphasizes the positive development of team dynamics after the driver changes and sets his main goal for the rest of the season to keep 6th in the design classification and further improve the car.

A central point for Mekies is the internal development of the team, which in his opinion is more important than the upcoming regulations. He describes that a typical day as a team boss on a race weekend is to ensure that the team has the optimal conditions to work successfully.

A look at Formula 1 story

Formula 1 itself has an impressive story that began in 1950 with a foundation by the FIA ​​(Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile). The first season comprised eight teams and 49 drivers who competed against each other in seven races. The first routes were prestigious race tracks such as the Circuit de Monaco and the Silverstone Circuit. The first world champion, Guiseppe Farina, secured the title after an exciting first race that set the course for developments in motorsport.

Over the years, Formula 1 has passed many changes, including the rules regarding the driver change and pit stops, which have developed over time. This story and the current challenges that teams like the Racing Bulls are illustrated by the dynamics and competition in Formula 1.

Laurent Mekies faces the task of successfully conducting a young, dynamic team in a constantly changing environment. It remains to be seen how Racing Bulls will develop under his direction.