Mekies: There’s no 'magic button' to overtake McLaren.

      "It’s about examining every aspect."

      Laurent Mekies acknowledges that his unexpected elevation to Christian Horner’s former position at Red Bull took him by surprise. "It was completely unexpected for me," the 48-year-old Frenchman told De Telegraaf. "In the weeks that followed, I had numerous discussions and felt like I was in a transitional phase. So, the summer break actually turned out to be beneficial."

      Mekies chuckled when asked if he truly managed to disconnect from work. "You’re not trying to suggest that I violated FIA rules, are you?" The former Ferrari, FIA, and Racing Bulls member shared that the changes have been challenging for his family. "I left Italy for Silverstone for the race with just a suitcase for three days. Then I ended up staying in England for a month," he laughed again.

      "When I returned earlier this month, I was lucky enough to focus on my wife and three sons for a bit. So, you can see why those boys won’t let me read a book in peace. Right after I took over, I was frequently asked if my family would move to England. My response was that I didn’t even have enough clothes there. For now, my family will remain in Italy."

      His current task is to guide Red Bull through its challenging times both on and off the track, especially with McLaren excelling and a significant regulatory change approaching in 2026. "I’ve had many discussions with the heads of all departments," Mekies stated. "It’s about assessing every area to identify what can be improved and how we can enhance the car's speed. This team has been dominant for years, and those capabilities haven’t vanished overnight. There's simply no magic solution to match McLaren’s performance."