Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers we have ever seen in F1. It’s not an exaggerated claim to make for a driver who has won four successive titles, and still has the mathematical chance of making it five in a row.
The numbers say it all: Verstappen is the most successful driver Red Bull has ever had. However, how much effect did he have on the organization behind the scenes? New team principal Laurent Mekies offered an exclusive glimpse into that.
Red Bull Team Principal Explains Verstappen’s Influence Beyond the Cockpit
Mekies has come in at a challenging time for Red Bull. The team missed out on the Constructors’ Championship for the first time in three years and parted ways with the legendary Christian Horner, who had been with the team since its inception.
Mekies is also overseeing the development of the new F1 car as new F1 regulations come into play next year. But the biggest challenge may be retaining their talismanic driver, Verstappen.
In a recent interview, the French motorsport executive highlighted how important Verstappen is to the organization, especially when he takes his helmet off.
“His energy is contagious, he pushes all of us and is a huge source of motivation,” Mekies explained. “We all know how incredible Max’s performances are in the car, that’s clear to anyone watching from the outside.”
“But when you get to know him personally, you realize he’s also a remarkable person away from the cockpit,” he continued.
Mekies sees him as an integral part of the team’s engine room. The Red Bull principal highlighted how Verstappen provides a perspective from behind the wheel that even the car’s advanced sensors can’t capture.
“What he achieves in the car is something you don’t see very often. He can tell us things from behind the wheel that we might not even notice, despite all the sensors fitted to the car,” he pointed out.
Mekies also believes the Dutchman’s ability to communicate subtle nuances about the car gives engineers a clearer understanding of how to optimize performance.
“It’s simply a great collaboration between the engineers at the track and those back at the factory. I can now truly see the advantage of having a driver with such a fine feel for the car, someone who can communicate that perfectly,” the 48-year-old described.
While this season may feel like a long shot, Mekies and Verstappen will be eager to get Red Bull back into the title conversation next year. Can their new chemistry make the team great again? The early signs have certainly been promising.