Red Bull’s Chief Reveals Shocking Origins of Verstappen’s Super Licence Controversy!
In a stunning revelation, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has pulled back the curtain on the controversial circumstances surrounding Max Verstappen’s meteoric rise in Formula 1, branding the situation “ridiculous” and insisting, “this cannot happen again.” Mekies, who now works closely with the Dutch driver, was thrust into the spotlight precisely a decade ago when he took on the pivotal role of FIA safety director. His first mission? To overhaul the Super Licence accreditation process just after Verstappen was granted his at the tender age of 17.
Verstappen made history as Formula 1’s youngest debutant in the 2015 season, but Mekies clarified that rather than paving the way for the prodigy, his appointment was a reaction to the urgent need for stricter regulations. Mekies recalled a directive from the then-FIA President Jean Todt, who bluntly stated, “Well, you know what, this young kid, Max, he just got his license at 17 years old. That’s ridiculous. People will not understand why you cannot have a driving licence for the street and you can drive a Formula 1 car.”
This stark reality prompted Mekies to implement a complete overhaul of the Super Licence system, creating a framework designed to prevent a repeat of such a scenario. “Thanks to Max being that outstanding,” Mekies noted, “we now have a completely new super licence point system, including the minimum age.”
Under the current regulations, drivers are required to accumulate a minimum of 40 FIA Super Licence points within a three-year timeframe, along with being at least 18 years old to qualify for this prestigious licence. However, Mekies did not shy away from highlighting exceptions, such as the one granted to Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad, who was allowed to participate in FP1 at the British Grand Prix just shy of his 18th birthday.
Mekies’ candid remarks emerged during Red Bull’s in-house podcast, Talking Bull, where he humorously quipped, “It’s better he doesn’t know that I was trying to stop him just a bit!” This playful admission only adds fuel to the fire surrounding Verstappen’s early entry into F1.
As Mekies and Verstappen now work hand-in-hand, aiming for further triumphs with Red Bull, the implications of Mekies’ revelations echo throughout the sport. Will the revamped Super Licence rules hold up against future young talents, or will they face similar scrutiny? One thing is certain: the debate over age and experience in Formula 1 is far from over, and the motorsport world will be watching closely as these changes take effect.
Stay tuned for more explosive developments in the world of F1!
