Ralf Schumacher has praised Red Bull’s recent decision to appoint Laurent Mekies as team principal, calling it a strategic move aimed at securing Max Verstappen’s long-term commitment. Mekies takes over from Christian Horner, who stepped down after over two decades leading the team. As only the second team principal in Red Bull’s F1 history, Mekies brings fresh energy to the squad, and Schumacher notes that the mood within the team has already improved significantly since the change.
Schumacher believes that this leadership transition could positively influence Verstappen’s decision to stay. While the Dutch driver has been linked to a potential future move to Mercedes, Schumacher emphasizes that Verstappen has never raced for another team and owes much of his success to Red Bull. Leaving a familiar environment, especially one where he feels supported, may not be in Verstappen’s best interest, especially if he would be paired with George Russell instead of a more agreeable teammate like Kimi Antonelli.
The former F1 driver points out that Verstappen’s recent doubts about his future stemmed largely from issues with the car’s performance and internal friction within the team. Now that Mekies has taken charge and morale appears to be on the rise, Schumacher suggests that Verstappen may reconsider his stance and opt to remain. He notes that the driver’s sense of comfort and confidence within a team environment plays a major role in such decisions.
Schumacher also weighed in on the technical side, highlighting how Red Bull’s collaboration with Ford for future power units could prove more competitive than previously thought. While Mercedes was rumored to have the strongest powertrain, Schumacher says Ford’s progress should not be underestimated. This development could further entice Verstappen to continue with Red Bull, provided the team’s performance rebounds.
Lastly, Schumacher criticized Christian Horner’s leadership, implying that poor decisions during his tenure contributed to the recent turmoil. He argued that had the team remained consistently successful, Verstappen likely would not have considered leaving. The blame for Verstappen’s uncertainty, according to Schumacher, lies with Horner’s missteps, which damaged the team’s atmosphere and stability—an atmosphere that seems to be recovering under Mekies’ guidance.
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