P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Laurent Mekies must unlock Yuki Tsunoda’s true ability as Red Bull’s new team boss, to increase the outfit’s hopes of moving up the F1 constructors’ standings.
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has an “underdog mentality,” which he thinks will benefit Yuki Tsunoda.
The Belgian Grand Prix was the first race for the Milton Keynes-based team under Mekies’ leadership, following the sudden departure of long-time boss Christian Horner.
Mekies was promoted directly from Racing Bulls after leading the sister team for 18 months and had worked closely with Tsunoda during the 2024 season.
Although Tsunoda showed improved performance at Spa-Francorchamps, including a seventh-place qualifying finish, he has only scored seven points since replacing Liam Lawson, prompting a close examination of his struggles.
Palmer noted on the F1 Nation podcast that Mekies’ immediate task should be to understand why Tsunoda is facing challenges, especially in comparison to other drivers on the grid. Mekies’ background of working with Tsunoda and Lawson suggests an underdog mentality that could bring a fresh perspective to Red Bull’s approach.
