Even the cook can drive the new cars? Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies disagrees: Drivers can make an even bigger difference than last year
The new Formula 1 regulations continue to be a topic of discussion ahead of the season opener in Australia: the required energy management and low cornering speeds are not exactly cause for celebration, but Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies is convinced that the drivers will continue to make the difference.
The best and smartest driver is likely to come out on top again this year, believes the Frenchman. “More than before, for two reasons,” says Mekies in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com Italy. “Firstly, the cars are slower in the corners and faster on the straights,” recalls the Red Bull team boss. “That means a driver spends more time in the corners during a lap, and that’s where the crucial difference lies.”
“Put simply, the time limited by grip is longer than last year, and driving talent has more time to unfold.” Mekies thus contradicts Fernando Alonso’s claim that the new cars could even be driven by the team chef due to their low cornering speeds.
“Drivers can make an even bigger difference”
“Secondly, the cars and energy management are more complex,” adds the Frenchman. “This means that drivers can make an even bigger difference in the cockpit than last year. A lot of work will be needed to exploit the maximum potential.”
Nevertheless, the team boss admits that the new regulations have changed the demands on drivers. “There is no guarantee that the same qualities that used to distinguish a driver will still be decisive today,” says Mekies.
However, the Frenchman is reluctant to criticize the new Formula 1 era. “As a motorsport enthusiast, I am excited about the technical developments we will see on the track, both in terms of the power units and the chassis.”
Development “three to four times greater” than last year
“We are on the eve of one of the most intense development cycles ever, and that’s what fascinates me the most,” says Mekies, who, as a long-standing and experienced Formula 1 engineer, is also very familiar with the technology of the new cars.
“There are some critical issues at the moment, particularly with charging the power units, but history teaches us that Formula 1 teams have an incredible ability to tackle and solve problems. That’s one of the most fascinating aspects of this sport.”
That is why Formula 1 will continue to develop significantly over the course of this season, although the engineer is reluctant to make predictions. “It’s hard to quantify, but I think the development from the first to the last race of the season will be three to four times greater than last year.”
For this reason, Mekies is currently refraining from condemning the new generation of cars. “We are at the beginning of this project, and I am confident that we can overcome the technological hurdles that seem so difficult to master today.”
