Mekies: Not Surprised by Ferrari's 2025 Struggles, Cites F1's Thin Margins

Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies stated he was not surprised by Ferrari's difficult 2025 Formula 1 season, attributing the team's struggles to the sport's intensely competitive nature and the razor-thin margins that define success. The former Ferrari sporting director emphasized that a difference of mere tenths of a second was decisive this year, while extending his best wishes to his former team.

Why it matters:

Mekies's comments highlight the brutal reality of modern F1, where even historically dominant teams like Ferrari can falter without perfect execution. His perspective, shaped by years inside Maranello, underscores how the convergence of performance under stable regulations leaves no room for error, making sustained success exceptionally difficult. The assessment also reflects on the personal and professional dynamics as key figures move between top teams.

The details:

• Mekies pointed to the extreme competitiveness of F1 and noted that "the line between success and failure is thin, especially this year, where a few tenths made the difference."
• Ferrari's 2025 campaign was notably challenging, failing to secure a single Grand Prix victory and only managing seven podium finishes across the 24-race season.
• Mekies transitioned to the Red Bull team principal role in 2025 after Christian Horner's dismissal, having previously left Ferrari in 2023 to become team principal at Racing Bulls—a move he described as an opportunity he "wasn’t going to turn down."

The big picture:

Ferrari's winless season marks a significant downturn for the team, which had been a consistent front-runner and title challenger in preceding years. Mekies's career path—from Ferrari's sporting director to leading a rival top team—illustrates the fluid movement of top talent in the F1 paddock and how insider knowledge and experience shape rivalries. His measured, unsurprised reaction suggests the pitfalls Ferrari encountered are viewed internally as a constant risk in the high-stakes development race.

What's next:

All eyes will be on how Ferrari responds to its 2025 woes with the 2026 car and power unit project, which is rumored to be an aggressive and potentially potent design. The pressure will be on Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur and the technical team to translate their development efforts into a reliable and competitive package that can close the gap to the front. Meanwhile, Mekies will aim to consolidate Red Bull's position at the front, creating a compelling subplot between the two teams he has helped lead.