P1racenews AI automatic summary:
RB team principal Laurent Mekies feels Red Bull has been “too public” about its driver reviews and that the extent of the pressure Daniel Ricciardo was put under was “a bit unnecessary”.
Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, acknowledges that their approach to driver reviews can be overly intense, causing unnecessary pressure. Speculation surrounding Daniel Ricciardo’s future in F1 escalated during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, leading many to believe it was his last race with Red Bull. The team’s practice of closely monitoring and potentially moving drivers between the main squad and the junior outfit has raised concerns. Mekies defended the rigorous evaluation process but admitted that in Ricciardo’s case, it may have been taken too far. While acknowledging that high-level athletes like Ricciardo can handle pressure, Mekies believes it sometimes becomes excessive and unwarranted.
