SUZUKA, JAPAN – APRIL 6: Laurent Mekies, Team Director of Visa Cash App RB Team, watches from the pit wall during qualifying before the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Circuit on April 6, 2024 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
It is a significant achievement for a smaller Formula 1 team to score points, especially in consecutive races like VCARB did in Australia and Japan. This is remarkable considering that the top five Formula 1 teams, Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin, usually dominate the top ten positions in terms of points.
Therefore, Yuki Tsunoda’s recent scoring performance in his home country is quite impressive. Before the Japanese Grand Prix, he finished seventh in Melbourne. At just 23 years old, Tsunoda carries the weight of hard work on his shoulders, while his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who is 11 years his senior and a winner of eight Grand Prix races, struggles to regain his former form that made him a favorite in Formula 1.
Now wearing the VCARB team uniform instead of the familiar red of Ferrari, team sporting director Laurent Mekies met with selected media during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. This race holds significance for VCARB due to Tsunoda’s presence and the team’s connection with Red Bull-Honda, which provides engines for their cars.
Mekies, who is 46 years old, is well aware of the hierarchy in Formula 1. He acknowledges that whoever leads the midfield is in sixth place, and currently, that position belongs to VCARB. However, Mekies emphasizes that there is still a long season ahead and the order is likely to change based on improvements in cars, track conditions, and team performance during each Grand Prix weekend.
The Frenchman further asserts that, in order to succeed, a team must develop efficiently and execute their race weekend flawlessly. This presents a wonderful challenge for the competitors and brings excitement to the fans. In Japan, VCARB did almost everything right and their efforts were rewarded with Tsunoda finishing in seventh place.
However, Mekies remains grounded and knows they must work even harder to maintain their position in the midfield pack, as the competition will be fierce. He reflects on his satisfaction with the sixth place finish in Australia, but warns that this does not guarantee continuous success. Even a small mistake can result in a significant drop in position, highlighting the importance of constant improvement and attention to detail.
After the Japanese Grand Prix, Mekies expresses his satisfaction with the team’s performance. He praises Yuki for putting on a fantastic and controlled race in front of his home crowd, showing excellent tire management and impressive overtaking maneuvers. Mekies acknowledges the team’s strong performance in maximizing their package, including a crucial pit stop and tough strategic decisions. Although it is just one point in the championship, Mekies recognizes its importance, especially because all five top teams had both cars finish the race. He praises everyone involved in the team, including those in Faenza, Bicester, and their partner Honda, and emphasizes the need to continue striving in all areas to maintain their position at the top of the midfield pack.
In a stark contrast with his younger teammate, Ricciardo remains an enigma, as clearly shown by the 4-0 defeat he is suffering at the hands of Tsunoda in this year’s qualifying sessions. However, just like McLaren, Red Bull is striving to revive Ricciardo’s faltering career in the premier league of motorsport.
Following his elimination in Q1 in Suzuka on Saturday, Mekies informed journalists that the team would do everything to provide Daniel with a car that suits his preferred style. They are even willing to replace his chassis to make sure of it.
Alan Permane, race director of VCARB, revealed: “We have a new chassis on the way, and it makes perfect sense to allocate it to Daniel. This decision is not only based on Yuki’s immense satisfaction and comfort with his current setup, but also because we have no preference for either of the drivers.”
Permane further added: “For Daniel, it may be beneficial for him to completely put to rest any doubts about the car.” Unfortunately, Ricciardo’s hopes were dashed when he collided with Alex Albon’s Williams just one kilometer from the starting line, prematurely ending his race.
Reflecting on the incident after the fourth round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship in Japan, Mekies commented: “Daniel’s unfortunate setback on the first lap was regrettable. We were quite vulnerable against our competitors behind us, especially those on soft tires. These unforeseen circumstances can happen.”
Mekies emphasized: “What matters is that our two drivers showed impressive speed here, as evidenced in qualifying.” He praised the good start made by himself and Peter Bayer, who took the reins of VCARB after replacing the team’s long-time leader, Franz Tost. (Interview conducted by Agnes Carlier in Suzuka)
2024
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