Laurent Mekies is quickly getting up to learning just how impressive Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is.
After years of competing against Max Verstappen during his time at Ferrari and Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies has now been tasked with helping the four-time world champion return to the top of the drivers’ championship.
The Hungarian Grand Prix has shown that Red Bull have their work cut out to make that happen.
RANKDRIVERTEAMTIME1Charles LeclercFerrari1:15.3722Oscar PiastriMcLaren1:15.3983Lando NorrisMcLaren1:15.4134George RussellMercedes1:15.4255Fernando AlonsoAston Martin1:15.4816Lance StrollAston Martin1:15.4987Gabriel BortoletoSauber1:15.7258Max VerstappenRed Bull1:15.7289Liam LawsonRacing Bulls1:15.82110Isack HadjarRacing Bulls1:15.915
Verstappen was happy just to make it to Q3 on Saturday, and will start the race from eighth, behind Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
David Croft thinks Red Bull made a mistake that impacted Verstappen, but it’s hard to believe that the Dutchman will finish P8 if everything goes to plan during the race.
Mekies has played his part in Verstappen deciding to stay at Red Bull beyond the end of this season, which is by far the most important thing he could have done since his move from Racing Bulls.
Now, Mekies has spoken about his burgeoning relationship with Verstappen, and what makes him an ‘off-the-chart’ driver to work with.
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Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty ImagesLaurent Mekies calls Max Verstappen’s commitment to racing ‘off-the-chart’
Mekies was speaking to The Inside Track Podcast after his first few weeks working for Red Bull and Verstappen, and said: “You remember how incredible he was in his first race for the team, whenever it was nine years ago or ten years ago.
“And you still have in your head that incredible debut, but fast forward, the numbers are unbelievable, and we have all been witnessing these numbers as competitors, and then suddenly you get to know him a little bit better at least since last race and and and you discover everything that is behind what you see on track.
“Suddenly, you understand, yes, that’s how you get to such an unbelievable level.
“And what I mean by that is that we know the on-track level and how unique that is, and then suddenly you discover Max off track and you discover a completely off-the-charts level of commitment, love for the sport, simplicity and a direct approach to the good moments and the bad moments and suddenly, it is becoming very clear that the combination of the two makes him untouchable and unique.
“I’m sure, there are a lot of fast drivers out there, it’s an unbelievable combination to have that raw talent combined with the absolute love and commitment for the sport and with all the understanding that has developed thanks to both aspects.”
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Laurent Mekies explains what has ‘surprised’ him about Max Verstappen since working with him
Mekies was then asked whether his initial impression of Verstappen behind the scenes had surprised him, and he continued: “It is fair, you can see it in my words.
“Of course, I have been surprised, actually. It’s always easy to think that the drivers who win four world titles, and you get into a more difficult season, getting the second part of the season, it’s a fight that is difficult for the title.
“And then you also hear the noise around and you see the level of focus he’s able to have in this sort of moment, a level of calmness and drive that he’s going to bring to the team.
“The total absence of compromise in the approach he has and in the level of preparation he has before and after the race, and then, of course, I was surprised it’s fair to say.”
Verstappen’s Hungarian Grand Prix data would have concerned Red Bull, and for the first time, a difficult Friday didn’t lead to a far more positive Saturday for Mekies’ team.
Early rain on Sunday at the Hungaroring might give Verstappen hope that he can produce another strong wet race, although the RB21 doesn’t look like a race-winning car on this occasion.