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New Red Bull boss ‘surprise’ over key FIA decision: ‘We waited for the sun to come out’
After being named the new Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies expressed surprise at the decisions made by his former employers, drawing criticism from top drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The Belgian Grand Prix was marred by controversy over the late start and prolonged safety car period mandated by FIA race director Rui Marques. Both Hamilton and Verstappen believed Marques’ actions were unnecessary and did not make sense, impacting the race’s outcome. The delay particularly affected Verstappen, whose Red Bull car was optimized for wet conditions, ultimately leading to a fourth-place finish behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari. Mekies acknowledged the surprise of the late race start and the team’s challenges with the wet setup, noting the FIA’s considerations while highlighting the performance impact on Red Bull.
