Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has revealed that he has discovered just how good Max Verstappen is, saying the reigning Formula 1 champion is at an “unbelievable level”.
The Frenchman is settling into life as the Milton Keynes-based squad’s new CEO and Team Principal, having replaced Christian Horner last month.
It is perhaps a more unenviable period for Mekies to have taken charge, with the team, by its own standards, struggling this year, with Verstappen taking just two Grand Prix wins.
Mekies will be hoping for a reversal of fortunes in three weeks’ time, when F1 returns from its summer break at Zandvoort, Verstappen’s home race.
Despite being somewhat close to operations previously, given his corresponding role at sister team Racing Bulls, Mekies has explained he is now just realising the level Verstappen is at.
“Suddenly, you get to know him a little bit better, at least since the last race, and you discover everything that is behind what you see on track,” Mekies told the BBC’s Inside Track podcast. Suddenly, you understand that’s how you get to such an unbelievable level.
“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.
“Suddenly, it’s very clear that the combination makes him untouchable and unique. 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, with all the understanding that he has developed.”
Verstappen’s level ‘beyond’ Mekies expectations
Mekies said that it is easy to get drawn into a simplistic view about how well he might know a driver, but he conveyed his shock at just how much focus Verstappen possesses, as well as his dedication to himself and the team as a whole.
“Of course, I have been surprised. It’s always easy to think that you know the drivers,” he continued.
“You win four World titles, and you get into a more difficult season, get in the second part of the season in a fight that is difficult for for the title, hearing the noise around, and you see how the level of focus he is able to have in this sort of moment, a level of calmness and the drive he is 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. Of course, I was surprised.”
When asked whether he is the best driver he has worked with to date, Mekies was diplomatic in his response, but reiterated his surprise at Verstappen’s true level.
“Was I surprised, despite the unbelievable results he has had already, so you would expect something extraordinary?
“Yes, I was surprised. It was well beyond what I was expecting.”
Mekies explained further how Verstappen works with the team, revealing the work he and the Red Bull personnel put in together, which transcends even the brilliance he implements on the circuit.
“It’s always a collaboration in the partnerships – it’s not only for the drivers, it’s for the drivers, for the team members, it’s a large company, and it’s a very large group,” he explained.
“It’s about trying to make sure that everyone is expressing their talent best.
“Miss that by two per cent, five per cent, multiplied by a number of people, and you are going to lose quite a lot of time on the table.
“So it’s always about the relationship. In Max’s case, the feeling you have is that there is so much to download from him to drive the team well beyond what he’s doing on track.”
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