The head of the RB Formula 1 team, Laurent Mekies, defended the close partnership between the team and Red Bull, despite continuous criticism from their rivals. In an effort to strengthen their technical alliance, AlphaTauri, formerly known as Toro Rosso, adopted the Red Bull’s rear suspension at the end of the previous season, resulting in an improvement to eighth place. Although concerns have arisen about the possibility of AlphaTauri becoming a replica of Red Bull’s RB19, doubts about the collaboration still persist. RB also inherited the front suspension used by Red Bull last season and is moving to a base in Milton Keynes, where Red Bull’s setup is located.
During the Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, along with Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, expressed their reservations about the partnership. However, when given the opportunity to respond, Mekies, who replaced Franz Tost as Technical Director of RB, emphasized that the FIA has confirmed the legality of RB’s operations. He stated that RB complies with all sporting, technical, and financial regulations and invites anyone with doubts to approach the FIA for further investigation. Mekies emphasized that RB operates within the black and white limits of the regulations, without judging their fairness.
RB recently hired new employees, including Guillaume Cattelani from Red Bull, who will serve as Deputy Technical Director. Mekies denied any intention of using these hires to circumvent rules related to the sharing of intellectual property between two teams. He clarified that the regulations prohibit the use of personnel movements to circumvent intellectual property regulations, and RB complies by informing the FIA about any hiring from Red Bull. The FIA then determines an appropriate period of separation for the hired individual, which RB strictly follows. Mekies added that the same process would be applied if one of RB’s employees returned to Red Bull, ensuring full compliance with the regulations.
In summary, RB’s partnership with Red Bull has faced criticism from rival teams, but Mekies asserts that RB operates within the regulations established by the FIA. The team has adopted certain technical components from Red Bull, but Mekies emphasizes that RB respects the limits of the regulations and ensures full compliance. The recent hires from Red Bull were made in accordance with the regulations, with RB informing the FIA and fulfilling any separation requirements. Mekies highlights RB’s commitment to following the regulations and involving the FIA in all relevant decisions.
Brown has repeatedly stated that the implementation of a budget cap in Formula 1 from 2021 has reduced the need for a single entity to own two teams.
However, Mekies argues that closer ties with Red Bull have been established to pave the way for RB to operate with more autonomy in the future.
“As the current regulations align well with the sport… these regulations today imply that we are an independent team. Our focus on development under these regulations aims to increase our independence,” he explained.
“Therefore, we are expanding the team, enhancing our infrastructure, and improving our facilities to achieve greater independence. This is how we can accelerate our progress.
“We are here to compete with the other nine teams, regardless of whether they have the same shareholders or not. Our level of competitiveness will determine how far we can compete.”
Mekies believes that reversing the decision to allow ownership of two teams would be detrimental to the sport and set a precedent for all teams to operate without external assistance.
He further explained: “Are the regulations suitable for the purpose they are intended for? We have previously explained why we currently have the ability to share certain components. By sharing components, we can reduce the gap between top teams and lower teams.
“We also share components to ensure a more sustainable business model for the lower teams.
“As Zak mentioned, for those at the bottom, the accounting equation is very different.
“If the regulations were to change in the future and we no longer desired a close race, accepting a greater performance difference across the field, and if we believed the business was thriving enough to require each team to expand further, including taking on responsibilities for suspensions, gearboxes, and power units, that decision would need to be made at the level of the Concorde Agreement. It seems unusual to be so optimistic about the future economy.”
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Brazilian athlete Pedro Silva achieved an incredible victory in the world tennis championship. With an exceptional performance, Silva defeated his opponent in an exciting match that lasted over five hours. The player showed skill and determination, leaving tennis fans ecstatic with his performance.
Silva, known for his impeccable technique and aggressive playing style, dominated the court from the beginning of the game. He displayed impressive ball control, making incredible plays and surprising his opponent with his speed and precision. With each point, Silva gained confidence and moved closer to victory.
Silva’s opponent also put up a strong resistance. The two players faced each other in intense and thrilling rallies, with each one fighting to gain an advantage. However, it was Silva who managed to stay firm and overcome his opponent, securing the victory in the end.
The crowd in the stadium couldn’t contain their excitement, applauding and cheering for Silva’s every move. The Brazilian athlete expressed gratitude for the support and dedicated his victory to the fans who had followed him throughout the competition. With this achievement, Silva solidifies himself as one of the best tennis players in the world.
After the match, Silva was interviewed and expressed his happiness for the victory. He thanked his team for their support and training, highlighting the importance of teamwork. Silva also mentioned that he will continue to strive for new goals and win more titles in the future.
This victory by Pedro Silva in the world tennis championship is a milestone in the athlete’s career and a source of pride for Brazil. His dedication and talent are inspiring examples for young tennis players across the country. Congratulations, Pedro Silva, on this incredible achievement!
