New Red Bull team boss already in talks with Max Verstappen about RB21

08:19, 01 Aug

byKimberley Hoefnagel

Laurent Mekies has only just begun as team chief of Red Bull Racing, but his influence within the team seems to be quite notable already. Max Verstappen is so far satisfied, and the atmosphere within the team may have improved.

It is almost a strange sight: the Red Bull Racing pit wall without Christian Horner. However, this has been the reality since the race weekend in Belgium. Even though Mekies has a lot of experience in Formula 1, it will take some time for everyone to get used to the new face.

Yet, there are already noticeable improvements within the Red Bull team. The atmosphere among the staff seems to have improved, and Mekies is doing everything he can to understand the issues with the RB21.

On Thursday, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, it was observed how he took extensive time to conduct conversations with the top staff and his drivers. Among those he was spotted with were Gianpiero Lambiase (Head of Racing), Pierre Waché (technical director), and Verstappen. The trio discussed the RB21 and how to improve it.

Verstappen is happy with Mekies so far

The latter has expressed his views on the new team boss to the media, including GPblog. When asked if Mekies' arrival has led Verstappen to see opportunities for a different direction, Verstappen said: "Absolutely that's always the case.

"Of course, it's still very early days, but I do like how Laurent is working. Very motivated, constantly asking the right questions to me , but also I think to the team. I think that's nice to see."

Verstappen emphasised that Red Bull is unlikely to reap the benefits of the situation this season. "Hopefully of course, I mean this year, it's difficult to see any kind of benefit from that, but I hope in the coming year, two years of course, that we can really see his touch to the team. I'm very excited for that."