Mekies reveals Verstappen's 'unreal' qualities that blew him away at Red Bull

New Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies, a veteran of over 25 years in Formula 1, says he was left "blown away" by Max Verstappen's unique qualities after taking over the role mid-season. Despite witnessing Verstappen's achievements from afar for years, Mekies found the direct experience of working with the four-time champion to be on another level, particularly praising his technical insight and total immersion in the sport.

Why it matters:

A team principal's perspective on a driver's work ethic and feedback quality is a rare and valuable insight into what separates the good from the truly great. Mekies' comments underscore that Verstappen's dominance is built not just on raw speed but on a profound, almost scientific, connection with his car and team—a combination that is exceptionally difficult for rivals to match.

The details:

• Mekies, who took over from Christian Horner after the British GP, described Verstappen as "the best sensor we have in the car," highlighting the unparalleled quality and sensitivity of his technical feedback during races and debriefs.
• He emphasized Verstappen's 24/7 dedication, noting the driver "lives day and night with motorsport" and is constantly seeking ways to improve, whether through sim racing or competing in GT3 cars on free weekends.
• This total immersion allows Verstappen to deeply understand engineering projects from the inside, helping to align the entire team and ensure his feedback on car performance is accurately interpreted and acted upon.

Between the lines:

Mekies' admiration points to a foundational strength at Red Bull that extends beyond car design. Verstappen operates as a seamless extension of the engineering team, creating a feedback loop of exceptional efficiency. This synergy between driver and team is a critical, yet often intangible, component of their sustained success, making the operation incredibly difficult to disrupt from the outside.