Laurent Mekies was extensively thought of the strongest inner candidate to take over as Ferrari workforce principal following Mattia Binotto’s departure on the finish of the 2022 Method 1 season. Nevertheless, the Maranello-based workforce determined to miss him and as a substitute appointed Fred Vasseur to steer their Method 1 operation.
Mattia Binotto resigned earlier than he might be dismissed, after Ferrari’s 2022 championship problem with Charles Leclerc collapsed. The marketing campaign had fallen aside attributable to a mixture of reliability points, strategic blunders, and inconsistent automobile efficiency. Mekies, who joined Ferrari in 2018 as sporting director and later turned deputy workforce principal in 2021, appeared a pure successor. But, Ferrari’s administration opted for a contemporary face from exterior — Fred Vasseur, who had guided Alfa Romeo (now Sauber) to a formidable sixth place within the Constructors’ Championship in 2022.
Fred Vasseur introduced with him a strong status, having beforehand managed Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to GP2 titles with ART Grand Prix, and later serving as workforce principal at Renault. He additionally had a detailed working relationship with Charles Leclerc, who drove for Alfa Romeo earlier than becoming a member of Ferrari, which additional strengthened his candidacy for the highest job.
Ferrari’s doubts over Mekies’ management potential
In line with the Italian media, Ferrari’s higher administration concluded that Laurent Mekies was “unfit for a prime position” on the time. Whereas they appreciated his technical background and expertise as racing director, they reportedly doubted whether or not he had the authority, charisma, and composure required to steer the Scuderia as workforce principal — a place that comes with immense scrutiny and strain from each media and followers.
These reservations, nonetheless, now appear to have been misplaced. After leaving Ferrari halfway by means of 2023, Laurent Mekies joined Crimson Bull’s sister workforce, Racing Bulls (previously AlphaTauri), the place he shortly impressed. Following Christian Horner’s controversial departure in July 2025, Crimson Bull promoted the Frenchman to the highest position — and since then, the Milton Keynes outfit has undergone a outstanding revival.
Below Mekies’ management, Max Verstappen has re-emerged as a severe title contender, profitable three of the final seven Grands Prix and two Dash races. The Dutchman, who had earlier expressed doubts about his championship possibilities, now finds himself again within the hunt, largely because of the workforce’s renewed stability and focus. Crimson Bull have additionally climbed to inside simply ten factors of second place within the Constructors’ standings — an enormous enchancment after they appeared caught in fourth earlier within the season.
Whereas Laurent Mekies can’t take full credit score for Crimson Bull’s technical progress, the Italian media highlighted how he has “restored order and infused motivation” throughout the group. His administration type has reportedly introduced “unity and ambition” to the workforce — two qualities that insiders consider have been missing at Ferrari in recent times.
John Elkann’s renewed religion in Fred Vasseur amid Ferrari’s challenges
Ferrari chairman John Elkann just lately reaffirmed his belief in Fred Vasseur, regardless of ongoing strain from inside the paddock. The assertion got here solely three months after Fred Vasseur had signed a contract extension, suggesting that the workforce’s management felt the necessity to publicly reinforce confidence of their workforce principal.
Fred Vasseur, nonetheless, has confronted rising criticism for Ferrari’s determination to finish growth of the SF-25 early, successfully sacrificing short-term outcomes to prioritize the 2026 automobile mission. The transfer contrasts sharply with Crimson Bull’s strategy underneath Laurent Mekies, as they proceed refining the RB21 in a last-ditch effort to problem McLaren and battle for race wins.
Fred Vasseur admits to underestimating the ‘psychological’ value
Talking throughout the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Fred Vasseur conceded that he might have misjudged the “psychological impression” of halting automobile growth too early. He defined that whereas the choice was supposed to offer Ferrari a head begin underneath the drastically totally different 2026 rules, it has come on the expense of the workforce’s momentum and morale.
Because of this, Ferrari at the moment are getting ready to enduring what can be solely their fifth winless season of the twenty first century. Earlier than the race in Austin, the workforce had gone six consecutive Grands Prix with out a single podium end, a statistic that underscores the rising frustration inside Maranello.
In the meantime, Laurent Mekies’ success story serves as a reminder of what Ferrari might need had if that they had trusted him to steer their Method 1 operation in 2023. His regular hand and talent to encourage personnel have reworked Crimson Bull’s type — and maybe highlighted one in all Ferrari’s most important missed alternatives in recent times.
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
