Mekies Lauds Red Bull's 'Mega Job' After Verstappen's Pole Masterclass in Abu Dhabi

Red Bull Racing team boss Laurent Mekies praised the team's exceptional performance and overnight turnaround, which propelled Max Verstappen to pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Dutch driver's commanding performance, coupled with strategic teamwork, significantly outpaced rivals, especially McLaren, after a challenging Friday practice.

Why it matters:

After a less-than-stellar Friday practice, Red Bull's ability to pull off such a dramatic turnaround for qualifying underscores their championship pedigree and technical prowess. Securing pole in the season finale is crucial for ending the year on a high note and setting momentum for the next season, especially given the intense competition.

The Details:

• Overnight Transformation: Mekies highlighted the 'mega job' done by the Red Bull staff, both at the factory and on-site, to find a 'new, better window for the car' after struggling with pace on Friday.
• Verstappen's Dominance: Max Verstappen secured pole position twice, effectively, by delivering two 'absolutely magic laps.' This marked his eighth pole of the 2025 campaign, the most of any driver.
• Teamwork: Yuki Tsunoda also played a crucial role, providing a strategic tow during Verstappen's first Q3 run, demonstrating effective teamwork within the Red Bull family.
• Surprising Gap: Mekies admitted surprise at the significant gap Verstappen achieved over McLaren, especially given that Red Bull was trailing by three to four-tenths in short runs on Friday.
• FP3 Tests: The team successfully conducted tests in FP3, despite the tricky temperature differences, which proved instrumental in finding the optimal setup for qualifying.

The big picture:

Red Bull's consistent ability to recover from challenging starts and deliver peak performance in critical moments has been a hallmark of their success. This pole position in Abu Dhabi is not just about a single race; it's a testament to their deep understanding of car dynamics, strategic adaptability, and the relentless effort of their entire team. It further solidifies Verstappen's status as a dominant force in F1.

What's next:

With Verstappen starting from pole, Red Bull will be aiming to convert this advantage into a race victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The focus will now shift to race strategy, tire management, and maintaining the car's performance throughout the grand prix to close out the season strongly and potentially influence the drivers' championship outcome.