P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A big weekend ahead for new Red Bull F1 boss Laurent Mekies
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes that the new Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, should focus on improving the performance of the team’s second car as a top priority. The second Red Bull car earned only four points in the first 12 races of the 2025 F1 season, in stark contrast to Max Verstappen’s 165 points. This performance issue with the second car has been persistent at Red Bull since Sergio Perez’s decline in form after a strong start. The struggles with the second car date back to Daniel Ricciardo’s departure at the end of 2018, with Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon similarly facing challenges. Mekies, who took over from Christian Horner, will face his first test at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.
According to Palmer, Mekies’ primary focus should be on elevating Yuki Tsunoda’s performance level and understanding the disparity between the two drivers. Tsunoda is currently under pressure to secure his F1 future, with reports suggesting that Isack Hadjar may replace him in 2026. As for Red Bull’s lineup, Liam Lawson is expected to remain, providing continuity and Arvid Lindblad is poised to join the grid next year. Tsunoda’s prospects appear limited, with Cadillac considering other candidates like Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, and Mick Schumacher, while a reserve role at Aston Martin powered by Honda could be a potential option for him.
