Laurent Mekies’ promotion to the head of Red Bull’s Formula 1 top table might be the most welcome news for its struggling driver Yuki Tsunoda.
The Japanese has mustered just seven points since replacing fellow struggler Liam Lawson after just two races, amid a plethora of issues getting to grips with the tricky RB21.
It has seemed like Tsunoda has regressed rather than progress as the year has gone on, his lowest ebb being in Austria, when he finished last, two laps down on the winning driver.
But Mekies’ appointment might just be the tonic that he needs.
At F1’s 75th anniversary launch earlier in the year, Mekies was full of praise for Tsunoda, who was then still a Racing Bulls driver.
“Yuki made a big step forward last year. He really surprised us with the progress he made in terms of raw speed as well as his technical qualities,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“Last season, it’s fair to say he joined the ranks of the very good drivers.
“Now we can ask the question, is there another step to come from him? We believe there is.”
And two months before, Mekies also publicly stated his compliments, praising his improvements over his period with the junior squad.
“The steps he has been doing this year have been, I think, a surprise to everyone,” he said. “And hopefully the surprise has also been for Red Bull Racing.
“I think we are in a business where everybody looks at the results, and the second a driver starts to perform or to outperform compared to the expectations, then everybody will then change their opinions very, very fast.
“I think for Yuki, it’s all about continuing to perform at a mega-high level on the track. And we are all very quick to change our mind as soon as we see a guy performing.”
Mekies added: “We are hoping to provide him with this faster car. But of course, I think he’s ready for a faster car and a faster team or a bigger team.”
Can Mekies change the high-pressure dynamic to relax its drivers?
Mekies’ management style will likely be different to that of Horner’s, and whilst he will be working alongside advisor Helmut Marko, it will be interesting to see if the Frenchman’s approach can relax Tsunoda.
Whilst he has been quick to publicly state that he has Marko’s and had Horner’s full backing, Tsunoda will be only too aware that with a Red Bull drive comes great responsibility and great pressure.
There is no doubt that Tsunoda will be likely to continue his struggles as the problems he faces with his car will not go away quickly, but the timing of the forthcoming upgrades in Belgium, combined with Mekies’ arrival, could spell a potential attitude change that might enable his cheeky smile to adorn his face once again.
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