New Red Bull Chief Left Stunned by FIA Decision: “We Waited for the Sun to Come Out”
Former FIA official turned Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, has been left bewildered by a crucial decision made by the FIA during the Belgian Grand Prix. The contentious call, orchestrated by FIA race director Rui Marques, led to a delayed race start and a safety car intervention that left top drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton fuming.
The race delay of 80 minutes, coupled with a four-lap safety car period before a rolling start, sparked outrage among drivers and fans alike. Hamilton criticized the decision as an “over-reaction,” while Verstappen deemed it nonsensical, particularly as it thwarted Red Bull’s strategy tailored for wet conditions, causing him to finish fourth behind Charles Leclerc.
Mekies, who recently assumed leadership at Red Bull, expressed his astonishment at the timing of the race start, stating, “We were all surprised by how late we started the race.” He further remarked on the impact of limited wet-weather practice on Red Bull’s performance, emphasizing the team’s unfavorable outcome due to their wet setup.
Verstappen’s narrow miss in qualifying and the team’s wet-focused setup further compounded their woes, as Mekies lamented the lack of wet running during the race. Despite Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of Leclerc during the dry race, overtaking opportunities were scarce, leading to a disappointing fourth-place finish for the Dutch driver.
The Belgian Grand Prix fallout sheds light on the intense competition and strategic intricacies defining the Formula 1 season, where split-second decisions and unpredictable weather conditions can make or break a team’s fortunes. As the championship battle heats up, Red Bull’s setback in Belgium serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of elite motorsport.
