Following the conclusion of Sunday’s F1 São Paulo GP, Laurent Mekies spoke about Red Bull’s set-up journey that saw the team struggle in Qualifying and triumph for Verstappen in the Race.
The São Paulo GP marked the penultimate sprint weekend of the season, with only one practice session. Teams often struggle to find the correct set-up, as was the case for Red Bull this weekend.
During the sprint sessions, Red Bull appeared to be behind rivals McLaren and Mercedes, prompting the team to change the set-up ahead of Qualifying for the São Paulo GP. Unfortunately, the changes did not yield the desired result, as both cars failed to make the Q2 cut.
Mekies praises Verstappen for “sensational drive”
The disastrous Qualifying prompted the team to overhaul Verstappen’s set-up, leading to a pit-lane start for the Dutchman. However, this time, Red Bull nailed the set-up, leading to a remarkable recovery drive from the pit lane to the podium for title contender Verstappen.
“Yeah, it was,” Mekies said when questioned whether the car was completely different from the one seen on Saturday in Qualifying for the São Paulo GP.
Red Bull’s team principal hailed his star driver and Championship contender, Max Verstappen, for a “sensational drive”, which he felt was on par with last year’s impressive drive from the back of the grid.
“I think at first credit to Max for the sensational drive. He won last year here from P16 on the wet.
“And I think we would probably agree that it was as sensational as last year to bring it to P3 from the pit lane on a dry, relatively uneventful race.”
Red Bull got it wrong ahead of Qualifying
Verstappen’s P3 finish in the São Paulo GP marked an impressive turnaround for the Milton Keynes-based team, who had so far not been satisfied with the balance of the car.
After the sprint race, in which Verstappen finished P4, Red Bull opted to change the car ahead of Qualifying. However, the team, by Mekies’ admission, “got it wrong,” and their risky set-up did not play out as planned, as Verstappen was unable to advance past Q1.
“The simple truth is that we were not happy with where the car was in terms of car balance and the driver’s feeling after the sprint race. We had finished P4, but it was effectively a P5 without Oscar’s stoppage.
“And nobody wanted to settle for a car that would have been at that level. We felt the optimum windows was not where we were.
“We tried our only car at that moment to challenge it before the main qualifying.
“We obviously got it wrong. But it’s the way we go racing. We take risks, and if we don’t take that amount of risks, we don’t think we’ll be able to win.”
Mekies on taking risks
Mekies explains that they took a risk, as they have done in the past, but it didn’t work out. Red Bull’s team principal believes that taking risks is a key part of the team’s identity and has led to some great results in the past.
“We took that risk. It didn’t work. It’s painful.
“In the past few months, I insist it is the way this team goes racing. That’s the spirit in our current racing. We had our highs and lows.
“We had a very difficult Budapest, I’m sure you recall. We had some good highs.
Changes ahead of the São Paulo GP finally led to success
After the disappointing Qualifying session, which saw both cars exit in Q1, Red Bull opted to overhaul Verstappen’s car and even fitted a new Power Unit. With these new changes, the reigning Champion mounted an impressive recovery drive from the pit lane to the podium, showing race-winning pace in the process.
“After that we took the decision to change again the car.
“Fit a new PU as well. And try to put again the car in a little bit of windows. The car was alive today.
“That’s the most important thing. The car was probably good enough to fight for the win today. And that’s what we’re after after the relatively average result of the sprint.”
Narrow window at the heart of Red Bull’s set-up struggles
Asked how Red Bull had managed to improve the balance, after a disastrous Qualifying for the São Paulo GP, Mekies wasn’t too keen to reveal details. The Frenchman pointed to the narrow set-up window of the car, which makes it difficult for the team to strike the right balance with ever-changing track layouts.
Mekies also pointed out that the solution found for the São Paulo GP would not serve as a silver bullet for the upcoming Las Vegas GP, though he hopes the team will find the correct set-up a “bit sooner”.
“I’m not sure I would have a big interest to elaborate. But let me put it this way. I don’t think it’s a secret that our window is narrow.
“It’s difficult to find that window for a given track layout. And for a given set of circumstances and conditions on a track layout. And we have been fighting to find it this weekend.
“Eventually, we did. It does not mean that you start Las Vegas with a magic set-up in the car. It’s a question we have to fight every weekend.
“And I will try to have it a bit sooner next weekend.”
