Mekies sounds off on quieting the noise at Red Bull

Laurent Mekies walked into what was always going to be a busy first press conference as Red Bull team principal with a beaming smile on his face.

The FIA had originally selected Williams' James Vowles to join Jonathan Wheatley (Sauber) and Ayao Komatsu (Haas) during Friday’s team principals session, before being able to confirm Mekies. And Christian Horner’s replacement was full of energy as he walked through from the back of the room, shaking hands with the entire front row of media and sharing in jokes before being first to sit down.

The Frenchman might have faced an intense fortnight stepping into his new role, but he didn’t appear to be feeling the effects as he prepared to outline his vision. Instead, he appeared energized by the situation he’s found himself in.

“All I've been seeing in these two weeks is extraordinary talents, and incredible racing spirit,” Mekies explained. “These guys go to the edge on every single aspect. There is not a single department where you see a bit of a feeling of laying back or resting. They really are at war – in the good sense of the word, if I may say – in every single aspect. That's what you see in the team.

“So really, on top of that, what we are going to try to do is to make sure that all these women and men, they have everything they need to express themselves at their best, that they are supported and that they have all the means that they need to have to show their talent.

“I think they have been showing season after season that they are the best in the world, or if they are not, they are very close. And you do not see weaknesses. You see a lot of desire from everyone to get that Red Bull energy, to perhaps reduce the noise outside, just to concentrate on racing. That's what you see and that's what we are going to try to do together.”

That’s not to say Mekies was always so positive about the Red Bull chance. He admits that the call to take over from Horner came as a shock, and took him aback to the extent he did not accept the position immediately.

“It was not very different for me than it was for you, really, guys," he told the gathered press corps. "I got a call a few hours before you guys were made aware. I got a call from Oliver [Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO] and Helmut [Marko, teeam advisor], and they asked me if I would be interested to do the job. Obviously, it came out of the blue at that moment for me. I was actually in the UK at Racing Bulls and it came in a completely unexpected way.

“I actually asked them to think about it for a few hours and hung up the phone. It’s difficult to digest. But the first thing that comes into your mind is, ‘Wait a second. It’s Red Bull. They are calling you. They ask you to step in to do that job, with everything that Red Bull means – its energy, its spirit, how they go about their racing teams,’ and that’s how you pick up the phone and you say, ‘Of course, it’s an honor. It’s a privilege.’

“First thought obviously goes in this moment as well to Christian, because it’s not something I could have expected. And he had been nothing else than extremely supportive with me these last two years. It’s not a secret that he’s the one, with Oliver and Helmut, that brought me back to the Red Bull family a couple of years ago.

“So that’s the sort of mix of emotions you get at that moment. But as I said, the dominant one is: it’s Red Bull calling. I guess it’s a matter of loyalty to go towards the brand and you just say, ‘Of course, if you think you need me there, I will go there.’”

Friday might have been the first time Mekies was appearing in public in his new role, but he has been fulfilling that responsibility back at the factory over the past two weeks. Much like his own need to take a moment before confirming he would take up the opportunity, he saw similar reactions from the Red Bull personnel.

But after the initial shock had subsided, Mekies says he has seen a team keen to turn around its fortunes, after slipping from the dominant force of a year ago to fourth in the constructors’ championship arriving in Belgium.

“For sure, the first 24 hours were a big adjustment because nobody was expecting it. The first few hours after the announcement were a surprise for everyone and certainly a digesting phase for everyone. What can I say after that? I’ve only been finding a huge amount of support from everyone. They just want to go racing. They are hugely respectful, and we all are, of the achievements that have been made under Christian’s leadership.

“Could I be hoping for more support, openness from the people I’ve been meeting these last two weeks? No. Everybody has been incredibly supportive, willing to open the door, willing to speak, to listen, to explain their limitations and strengths, how we go next about going back to the racetrack and fighting at an even higher level tomorrow. That’s what I’ve found.”

Job 1 for Mekies is clear enough: Convince Verstappen the grass isn't greener elsewhere. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

It’s an approach that Mekies feels Red Bull needs to have if it is to hold onto its prized asset. Max Verstappen has been linked with a move elsewhere but outlined his own desire to see car improvements on Thursday as he looks to the future under new leadership. That is something the 48-year-old already understands, saying he will be successful in keeping Verstappen at Red Bull if he gives him the machinery to fight for more championships.

“In terms of priority, I’m sure what Max wants is a fast car. If we get him a fast car, it cancels out all the other considerations," Mekies said. "So really, the focus is very much to get to know the team as quickly as possible in order to see how we can support, how we can build the next step of competitiveness in order to get a fast car and hence make it an easy call for Max.”

Many of the topics were very similar to those addressed by Verstappen, but while the Dutchman said looking back would not make the team any faster, Mekies revealed he has been in touch with Horner.

According to Mekies, the man he has replaced was the first to text and the first to call after the news was confirmed, and the pair have even spoken during the opening few days of the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

And on the same day Toto Wolff said he would miss Horner for his presence and role within the F1 paddock – often being cast as the villain – Mekies admits that he’s not going to try and step directly into the same shoes.

“Nobody is going to replace his character. Nobody is going to replace him like for like," he said. "I come in to do the CEO and team principal job. Is there any way one can do it in the same way as Christian? No. Or at least, certainly not me.

“But we’ll be relying on the incredible strengths that there are in this team. Everybody is stepping up. It’s certainly an opportunity to look for even more empowerment of our people.”

Improvements from within the team and fewer controversies outside of it appear to be the game plan for Mekies to try and drown out that external noise.