P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has identified how Laurent Mekies’ engineering background has inspired Red Bull’s revival with its crushing F1 Italian GP success.
Max Verstappen credits Laurent Mekies’ engineering background for Red Bull’s success at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen secured his third victory of the year starting from pole position. His dominant performance included setting the fastest average speed lap in F1 history, resulting in the fastest F1 race ever. Mekies, taking over from Christian Horner, brings valuable engineering experience from teams like Ferrari, contributing to a more collaborative approach with Verstappen’s feedback influencing the car setup. The team’s pivot in mentality, led by Mekies and key personnel like Marko and Wache, emphasizes making the car more predictable and drivable based on simulations combined with real-world experience. Verstappen acknowledges Mekies’ impact in improving the team’s performance and car setup strategies, leading to incremental steps forward evident in recent races, with a focus on common-sense engineering questions driving progress.
